Leipzig vs Atlético Champions League quarter-finals preview: where to watch, team news

Leipzig and Atlético meet at 21:00 CET on Thursday 13 August in the second of the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals in Lisbon. The winners will take on Paris in the semi-finals on Tuesday 18 August.

Where to watch the game on TV

Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.

How did the teams get this far?

Group G winners after suffering only one defeat, Leipzig saw off 2019 runners-up Tottenham in the round of 16 - the manner in which they did so (4-0 on aggregate) will have made many observers sit up and take notice.

Typically dogged for much of the campaign, Atlético did suffer two defeats in the group stage but reasserted their status as one of the teams to avoid by ousting holders Liverpool in the last 16.

Possible line-ups

Leipzig: Gulacsi; Klostermann, Upamecano, Halstenberg; Laimer, Sabitzer, Kampl, Mukiele; Forsberg, Nkunku; Schick
Out: Konaté (hip)
Players added to squad: Hugo Novoa
Players removed from squad: Ethan Ampadu, Frederik Jäkel, Timo Werner, Hannes Wolf

Atlético: Oblak; Trippier, Giménez, Savić, Lodi; Koke, Herrera, Saúl, Carrasco; Llorente; Costa
Out: Vrsaljko (knee), Correa (illness)
Doubtful: Partey (muscle problem)
Players added to squad: none
Players removed from squad: none

Reporters' views

James Thorogood, Leipzig reporter: Hoping to extend their first run in the Champions League knockout stages, Leipzig’s landscape has changed since beating Tottenham in March. Big names have returned from injury, while top scorer Timo Werner has left for Chelsea. Head coach Julian Nagelsmann’s ability to compensate for the loss of his star striker could arguably be the deciding factor as his inexperienced side take on one of the savviest teams in the competition.

Joseph Walker, Atlético reporter: Atlético have had their ups and downs domestically this season, but have saved their best performances for Europe's premier club competition. From their resilience in coming back from two goals down against Juventus on Matchday 1, to their logic-defying victory over Liverpool in the last 16, their never-say-die attitude and fighting spirit are just two of the reasons they should never be discounted.

Latest results

Leipzig
Form: WLDWD (all competitions, most recent first)
Where they finished: 3rd in Bundesliga

Atlético
Form: DWWDW
Where they finished: 3rd in Liga

What the coaches say

Julian Nagelsmann, Leipzig coach: "We’ll look to play our game, we’re focused on ourselves. We know they have a lot of experience over two legs - but anything can happen in just one game as opposed to two. There’s pressure and nerves. But we want to relax the players and not increase the pressure ahead. There’s always tension."

Diego Simeone, Atlético coach: "We've got a great game against a good side with a young coach who's doing a great job. They’re a great side, they came third in their league. It’s not just important to win - it’s the only option. I’m only focused on preparing the game in the best way I can and taking the game in the direction we want it to go. I’ll repeat - it’s not important to win, it’s the only thing that you can do.”

Rule changes

From the quarter-finals, all matches will be played as one-off ties at two stadiums in Lisbon, Portugal; this game is being held at the Estádio José Alvalade.

Teams will be able to make five substitutions but will only be allowed to make these changes at three points in the game. These three occasions do not include changes at half-time, between the end of normal playing time and extra time, and at half-time during extra time. One additional substitution will be allowed during extra time.

There will also be more player to choose from: a total of 23 players will be allowed on the match sheet instead of 18, something usually only permitted for the final.