Diego Simeone’s side currently sit 11th in the Champions League standings, just one point behind eighth-placed Lille. Meanwhile, Leverkusen hold fourth place with 13 points from their six group-stage matches.
Atlético Madrid entered their clash with Leganés riding a remarkable 15-game winning streak, but Borja Jiménez’s side ended that historic run with a shock victory. Despite the setback, Atlético remain at the top of La Liga and are firmly in this season’s title race.
In Europe, however, Simeone’s men face a tougher task. They’re 11th in the Champions League standings with 12 points, having won four and lost two of their six games so far. The Red and Whites are just one point behind Lille, who currently hold the final automatic qualification spot for the knockout stages.
Historically, Atlético’s record against Leverkusen is evenly matched, with three wins and three losses in their last 10 meetings. Their most recent encounter ended in a 2-2 draw during the 2022-23 Champions League group stage in Madrid.
Atlético’s home record against German teams in Europe is impressive, boasting 17 wins from 25 matches and just three losses. They’ve also been dominant at home in the Champions League recently, winning seven of their last eight fixtures.
Leverkusen have had a strong Champions League campaign, earning 13 points from six matches with four wins, one draw, and one loss. They’ve netted 12 goals while conceding just five, showcasing both offensive and defensive strength.
Managed by Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen are currently fourth in the group standings, level on points with Lille, making this penultimate matchday crucial for both teams.
The German champions are in stellar form, coming off a 3-1 Bundesliga victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach. That win marked their 12th consecutive victory in all competitions, further solidifying their status as one of Europe’s in-form teams.
Domestically, Leverkusen sit second in the Bundesliga, trailing leaders Bayern Munich by four points. They’ll head into their final group-stage match against Sparta Prague with confidence, especially if they secure a positive result in Madrid.
However, Leverkusen’s record in Spain leaves much to be desired. They’ve won just three of their 21 away games against Spanish opposition and haven’t reached the Champions League knockout stage since the 2016-17 season. With so much at stake, this clash promises to be a pivotal moment for both sides.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Atlético Madrid will once again be without José Giménez, who remains sidelined with a muscular injury. Alexander Sørloth is a slight doubt for the match, but there’s still a chance the striker could be fit enough to make the squad.
Marcos Llorente is expected to return to the starting lineup on Tuesday, likely taking up the right-back position, which would see Nahuel Molina drop to the bench. Conor Gallagher is set to continue on the left flank, while Antoine Griezmann and Julián Álvarez are likely to lead the attack, regardless of Sørloth’s availability.
For Bayer Leverkusen, Martin Terrier, Jeanuel Belocian, Victor Boniface, and Amine Adli are all unavailable. Terrier was forced off early during their Bundesliga clash with Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday, adding to their injury concerns.
Florian Wirtz has been in sensational form for Leverkusen this season, with 14 goals and nine assists in 28 appearances across all competitions. The talented playmaker will once again take on the number 10 role. Patrik Schick has also been delivering consistently, with 16 goals this season. He’ll be aiming to add to his Champions League tally when he leads the line on Tuesday night.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:
Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Galan; Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Gallagher; Griezmann, Alvarez
Bayer Leverkusen possible starting lineup:
Hradecky; Mukiele, Tah, Tapsoba, Hincapie; Palacios, Xhaka; Frimpong, Wirtz, Grimaldo; Schick
EXPERT PREDICTION
Atletico Madrid 2-2 Bayer Leverkusen
