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Atlético Madrid v Bayer Leverkusen
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Kick Off: Tuesday 21st January at 20:00
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Competition: UEFA Champions League
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Watch Live: TNT Sports 2
As the Champions League league phase reaches its decisive moments, the stakes for Atlético Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen couldn’t be higher. Both teams are in scintillating form and find themselves locked in a battle for automatic progression to the quarter-finals, bypassing the Round of 16. The stage is set for a fiercely contested matchup, as these 2 footballing heavyweights face off at the Metropolitano.
⭐ Atlético Madrid v Bayer Leverkusen Best Bet
Atlético Madrid, under Diego Simeone, are synonymous with grit, intensity, and a combative style of play that thrives on disrupting opponents. This approach has seen them average 2.07 yellow cards per game this season, with this figure rising to 2.23 at the Metropolitano, where their physicality and high-pressure tactics are amplified by the home crowd.
The stakes for this clash only heighten their propensity for fouls, as Atlético aim for automatic progression to the quarter-finals. In European fixtures, the margins are finer, and their willingness to engage in cynical play increases, particularly in tight games. This has been evident in their 3 home UCL matches this season, where they’ve picked up 3 yellow cards in 2 of them, reflecting their readiness to engage in tactical fouls to gain the upper hand.
Historically, Atlético’s record against German teams further solidifies this trend, with yellow card tallies of 2, 3, 2, 0, and 2 in their last 5 games against Bundesliga opposition. 2 of those fixtures were against Leverkusen, underscoring their familiarity with the challenges posed by the German side.
Leverkusen’s fluid attacking play exacerbates this pattern. Their last 9 opponents have all drawn 2 or more cards, a testament to the challenges posed by their high-paced transitions. Away from home, Leverkusen’s European opponents average 2 yellow cards per game, highlighting the defensive intensity required to stifle the visitors.
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👕 Atlético Madrid v Leverkusen Predicted XI
🔍 Atlético Madrid v Leverkusen Players to Watch
⚫ Alejandro Grimaldo
In Xabi Alonso’s modern system, Leverkusen’s full backs play advanced, dynamic roles, and Alejandro Grimaldo epitomises this. The Spanish left back averages an extraordinary 1.79 shots per game. He has taken at least 1 shot in 19 of his last 20 matches, with 11 of those featuring multiple attempts. Against Atlético’s compact defensive structure, Grimaldo’s ability to stretch play and shoot from unconventional areas will be key to breaking them down.
🔴 Robin Le Normand
Le Normand has emerged as a key figure in Atlético’s defence of late but tends to commit fouls, averaging 1.53 per game and 1.8 at home. His task of containing Leverkusen’s front 3 – including Florian Wirtz and Patrick Schick – will demand physicality and precision. Given that these attackers have collectively drawn 18 fouls in Leverkusen’s last 6 games, Le Normand’s track record suggests he’ll likely resort to at least 1 tactical foul to break their momentum.
📂 Atlético Madrid v Leverkusen Cheat Sheet
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💻 Atlético Madrid v Leverkusen Form and Tactics
After a shock defeat to Leganés in La Liga over the weekend, Atlético Madrid return to the Metropolitano looking to restore their momentum. That defeat marked their first loss across all competitions since October, breaking a remarkable streak of 15 consecutive victories. The Metropolitano, a fortress for Atlético, remains a source of confidence, with the side losing just 1 of their last 13 home European matches (W8, D4). Adding to their optimism, Atlético have won 2 of their last 3 home games against German opposition, providing an additional psychological edge.
Defensive solidity will be the foundation of Atlético’s approach, as they continue to excel in ball recoveries (2nd-most in the competition) and tackles (5th-most). This discipline will be crucial in nullifying Leverkusen’s attacking threats, particularly through quick counters and wide overloads. Atlético will also rely on Antoine Griezmann’s creativity and Julian Álvarez’s sharpness in attack to capitalise on any defensive lapses by their opponents.
Bayer Leverkusen travel to Madrid in scintillating form, riding the wave of an 11-match winning streak across all competitions. Their 3-1 victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday further underlined their dominance under Xabi Alonso. Sitting a point ahead of Atlético in the group standings, Leverkusen (W4, D1, L1) aim to extend their unbeaten run against Spanish opposition, which currently stands at 5 matches (W3, D2).
However, their European away form poses a concern. Leverkusen have managed just 1 win in their last 6 Champions League away games (D2, L3) and haven’t claimed victory on Spanish soil since the 2013/14 season. Breaking this pattern will require a disciplined performance, particularly given Atlético’s defensive resilience at home.
Tactically, Alonso’s fluid formations and adaptability have been a hallmark of Leverkusen’s success this season. With an impressive passing accuracy of 90.3% — the 2nd-best in the Champions League — they’ll rely on their technical precision to navigate Atlético’s defensive structure.
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🏁 Atlético Madrid v Leverkusen Ref Watch
- Referee – Davide Massa
| Average Cards (Y/R) | 3.33/0.07 |
| Fouls Given | 21.00 |
| Penalties | 0.20 |
Football Predictions at Andy’s Bet Club
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* I recommend waiting for confirmed team line-ups before placing any bets.
* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing.
Written by an Andy verified content writer
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