Champions League Preview: Atlético de Madrid’s Fiendish Home Advantage Surges as RB Leipzig Struggles in the Champions League

On September 20 at 3 AM, the first round of the Champions League will see Atlético de Madrid host Bundesliga powerhouse RB Leipzig at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.

In the fifth round of La Liga last weekend, Atlético de Madrid easily defeated Valencia 3-0 at home. The club’s new summer signing, Gallagher, scored with a low shot to help the capital team take the lead before halftime. After the break, Argentine striker Álvarez, who was brought in from Manchester City with much fanfare, also scored his first goal for Atlético, demonstrating that Atlético’s summer reinforcements have been immediately effective. Although there were many rumors at the start of the season suggesting that Atlético coach Simeone might leave, the team has shown excellent form in the first month of La Liga to refute these speculations.

Currently, Atlético de Madrid is temporarily ranked third in La Liga with three wins and two draws, four points behind the league leaders Barcelona. This season, the team is undoubtedly one of the favorites for the championship. In last season’s 19 home league matches, Atlético achieved an outstanding record of 16 wins, one draw, and two losses, second only to their local rivals Real Madrid in terms of home scoring ability. In this season, Atlético’s fiendish home advantage continues to be evident, with all three home league matches ending in clean sheets and two wins and one draw, with equally remarkable offensive firepower. Notably, Atlético was the only team to maintain a perfect home record in last season’s Champions League, and this season they are striving to replicate that performance.

In terms of the squad, Atlético de Madrid will lose the services of midfielder Barrios and forward Lemar for this match due to leg muscle injuries. According to Spanish media predictions, Atlético may start Álvarez, who scored his first goal last round, given that this Argentine striker contributed five goals and two assists in seven Champions League appearances last season, performing very well.

RB Leipzig was held to a draw by relegation-threatened Union Berlin at the Red Bull Arena in the last league round. Despite dominating the game, the team failed to score. Slovenian striker Šeško, who performed excellently in international matches, seemed to struggle in the league, and this young striker valued at fifty million euros has only scored in a German Cup match against lower-league opposition this season. Notably, RB Leipzig does not seem particularly adept at competing in the Champions League, advancing to the semi-finals in the special format of the 19/20 season after defeating Atlético 2-1, but failing to progress beyond the group stage or the round of 16 in other attempts, lacking the ability to advance further.

Currently, RB Leipzig is temporarily ranked third in the Bundesliga with two wins and one draw. With Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and other established giants strengthening their squads, Leipzig’s title challenge is severe, and this season they are likely to fight only for a Champions League spot. In last season’s 17 away league matches, RB Leipzig won eight, drew four, and lost five, conceding an average of 1.59 goals per game, indicating less-than-optimistic defensive capabilities. However, in the only away league match this season, RB Leipzig won 3-2 against defending champions Leverkusen, ending their unbeaten streak of over thirty rounds.

In terms of the squad, RB Leipzig will lose the services of midfielders Schlager and Windtrão for this match, and Malian defensive midfielder Haidara may also miss out. However, Belgian attacker Vermeulen, signed on loan from Atlético de Madrid, can face his former club, as Atlético did not include a clause preventing him from playing in this match.

The only previous meeting between the two teams saw RB Leipzig eliminate Atlético 2-1 in a neutral venue. For RB Leipzig, this match is just the beginning of a devilish Champions League schedule, facing Juventus, Liverpool, Inter Milan, and Sporting Portugal next, while Atlético’s schedule is relatively lighter, as Lille and Slavia Prague have struggled in European competitions.

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