Atlético v Leverkusen: line-ups, where to watch, form guide
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Article summary
Despite a 4-2 advantage, Diego Simeone expects Atlético Madrid to face a "tough night" against Bayer Leverkusen, with Tayfun Korkut asking the visitors to "change the dynamic of the tie".
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Article body
- Atlético 4-2 up on Leverkusen ahead of second leg in Madrid
- Diego Simeone's side won last two round of 16 ties on penalties
- Antoine Griezmann has four goals in last three games
- Leverkusen replaced Roger Schmidt with Tayfun Korkut on 5 March
- German club have lost five of last eight matches in all competitions
Possible line-ups
Atlético: Oblak; Juanfran, Godín, Giménez, Hernández; Carrasco, Ñíguez, Koke, Partey; Griezmann, Correa.
Doubtful: Torres (head), Savić (nose)
Out: Gabi (suspended), Filipe Luís (suspended), Tiago (knee), Fernández (knee), Gameiro (abdomen)
Misses next match if booked: none
Leverkusen: Leno; Da Costa, Jedvaj, Dragović, Wendell; Baumgartliner, Kampl; Bellarabi, Volland, Brandt; Hernández.
Out: Bender (ankle), Çalhanoğlu (suspended), Havertz (sitting exams) Henrichs (suspended), Kiessling (hip), Tah (thigh), Toprak (ankle)
Misses next match if booked: Dragović, Wendell
Where to watch
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.
Diego Simeone, Atlético coach
We want to deliver a good performance and be true to our style of play. I always interpret games one way: you want to honour the shirt you're wearing no matter the competition and we will do that.
We're up against a side who are quick on the counter and good in attack. It will be a tough night and I'm expecting a similar game [to the first leg], with them creating chances.
Tayfun Korkut, Leverkusen coach
We know what we need to do and we know it'll be hard. Atleti are a side who know how to be resilient and get the job done.
We need to sniff out chances while also being conscious of the fact we have 90 minutes. We want to get into a situation where we are still in the game. We need to work hard and look to change the dynamic of the tie.
Weekend results
Granada 0-1 Atlético (Griezmann 84)
Atlético were heading for a draw against relegation-haunted opponents until Antoine Griezmann scored from a Koke corner, hauling Simeone's men to within five points of third-placed Sevilla.
Leverkusen 1-1 Werder Bremen (Volland 7; Pizarro 79)
The Werkself ended a run of three straight defeats in Tayfun Korkut's first match in charge. The hosts had Wendell dismissed in the 90th minute yet still had the chance to claim maximum points in added time, only for Ömer Toprak's penalty to be saved by Felix Wiedwald.
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Atlético: WWDLWW
Leverkusen: DLLLWW
Reporter's view: Joe Walker (@UEFAcomJoeW)
Coming into a second leg in such a strong position is almost uncharted territory for Simeone and Atlético. Having put in a stellar showing in Leverkusen, coupled with their strong home record in Europe, they will be confident they can see it through. The fact the visitors require three unanswered goals to go through, against such a mean defence, could play into the Rojiblancos' hands on the counter.
Did you know?
Atlético are on a seven-game unbeaten streak at home to German clubs (W6 D1), dating back to a 1-0 defeat by Borussia Dortmund in the 1996/97 group stage. Read more in our extensive match background.