This Thursday's match between Atlético de Madrid and Leipzig has some unfinished business to settle from 2020. On that occasion, both clubs met in the Champions League quarter-finals, which were played during the pandemic. The red-and-white team was coming off an epic knockout against Liverpool, at that time the reigning European champions.
Many had Simeone 's team as favourites, as that edition would be played over a single match in a short period of time. However, the colchoneros were not able to overcome Leipzig and ended up losing by the narrowest of margins. Now, they will face each other at the Metropolitano in the debut of the new Champions League format and with many changes in both squads.
Simeone has unfinished business
There are many Atlético fans who still remember what happened in August 2020 in the tie against Leipzig. Because of the pandemic, all the matches were to be played in a single match and all of them were to be played in Portugal. Atlético de Madrid faced Leipzig after managing to survive at Anfield and win that tie by an aggregate score of 4-2.
Due to that epic victory, many were accusing Atlético de Madrid of being the possible champions of that edition of the Champions League . However, nothing could be further from the truth, as the red-and-whites succumbed to a German team that made things very difficult. Dani Olmo put the Germans ahead, Joao Félix equalised from a penalty and Adams sealed the red-and-whites' defeat near the 90th minute.
Simeone surprised everyone with his starting line-up, giving his trust to Diego Costa and Marcos Llorente in attack and Hector Herrera in midfield. Obviously, it was a wrong decision, betting on Joao Felix and Alvaro Morata when he was forced to seek a comeback. Both clubs face Thursday's clash with a large number of changes in their squads , but with the memory of 2020.
An Atlético de Madrid plugged into attack
Right now, one of the most positive aspects of the Colchoneros team has to do with the good level of their forwards. Except for Giuliano Simeone, the rest of the attackers have already been able to find the net this season, scoring decisive goals. The last to join this club was Julián Álvarez, who took advantage of the last minutes against Valencia to score his first goal.
Everything points to the former Manchester City player being a starter on Thursday, alongside Antoine Griezmann . Meanwhile, it seems that Koke, Rodrigo de Paul and Conor Gallagher are immovable in midfield while Pablo Barrios recovers . One of the big doubts could be in defence, as César Azpilicueta and Reinildo are fighting to occupy the left-footed position in defence.