Champions League: Atleti and Dortmund Will Bring Their A Game

Atletico Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund

Two teams which often seem happier in Europe than at home are set to face off on Wednesday when Champions League: Atletico Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund will pack the stands at the Civitas Metropolitano Stadium.

Atletico Madrid picked up the result of the Round of 16 with a victory over 2023 finalists Inter Milan, while Dortmund topped a tough group containing Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, and Newcastle United before seeing off PSV Eindhoven to reach the last eight. 

Edin Terzic’s Borussia Dortmund have been in good form recently, but they come into the game on the back of a damaging 1-0 loss at home to top-four rivals VfB Stuttgart, while Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid have had a much-needed week off.

The La Liga programme gave way to the Copa del Rey this weekend, and that means Los Rojiblancos are well rested for this Champions League tie, and the Champions League 2024 betting odds reckon that could be a telling factor. 

Talking Points

Griezmann fit for Atleti

Los Rojiblancos are in a battle for fourth place in La Liga, and there is a serious danger of them slipping out of the Champions League spots over the next couple of weeks. Simeone’s men have lost six of their last 12 games in all competitions and are just two points above fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao.

A late goal from Saul Niguez gave Los Rojiblancos a 2-1 win away to Villarreal last time out, but there was concern around the fitness of Antoine Griezmann, who was pulled midway through the second half when Atleti desperately needed a goal. 

The big Champions League 2024 news at the Civitas Metropolitano this week will be music to Atleti fans ears, as the France striker has been confirmed fit to line up alongside Alvaro Morata in attack.

The strike pair have scored 11 goals between them in the Champions League and are both in the leading pack of goal-scorers in La Liga. And the news that Griezmann is fit will ease the concern over Dutch forward Memphis Depay, who remains doubtful.

At the other end of the pitch, Mario Hermoso has a thigh strain, so Reinaldo, Axel Witzel, and Jose Gimenez will form a back three. 

BVB need to sharpen up front     

Dortmund’s top-four clash with VfB Stuttgart was the Bundesliga match of the weekend, but Die Schwarzgelben failed to break down a stubborn Stuttgart back line as the prolific Serhou Guirassy won all three points for the visitors. The loss allowed Red Bull Leipzig to sneak into fourth place in the Bundesliga table, ahead of BVB on goal difference, and, with just six games remaining, that is a precarious position for Terzic’s team to be in. 

In Europe, things are ticking along nicely for BVB, as goals from the returned Jadon Sancho and talisman Marci Reus fired the Germans through to the Champions League quarterfinals. And now BVB are hoping to welcome back key striker Donyell Malen for the clash with Atletico, while Sebastien Haller is also in contention for a starting spot. 

There are goals in this team, but Terzic will be wary of drawing another blank as Atleti boss Simeone is a master of winning tight ties. Dortmund also welcome back Nico Schlotterbeck to the heart of defence after he served a suspension against Eindhoven, and he will be a key man in the battle with Griezmann and Morata. 

In our SBOTOP preview, we listed the big games which have faced BVB, and they have been faring well, but after beating FC Bayern and Eintracht Frankfurt, they now need to shake off a loss before meeting the next challenge in Madrid. 

History

These two teams have met twice before, at the group stage of the 2018 Champions League, when Dortmund battered Atleti 4-0 in their home game but lost 2-0 in Madrid.

In terms of recent form, Los Rojiblancos are struggling for consistency with three wins and three losses over the past six games, while Dortmund have won five and lost one, and Terzic’s men will be keen to bounce back from that reversal at home to Stuttgart. 

But it will be difficult for the Bundesliga giants.

Simeone’s team has gone nine Champions League home games without a loss and have won the last four, and Atletico have never suffered a Champions League knockout defeat at home, winning ten from 16 and conceding just four goals in the process.

On the other hand, Dortmund have suffered three consecutive quarterfinal losses in the Champions League. The omens are not good for Die Schwarzgelben. 

Betting Tip

Atleti are odds on at 1.76 to take a lead in this fascinating leg, with Borussia Dortmund at 4.15 and the draw at 3.36. Terzic’s team will have to defy history to succeed, but they are in the better form so the chances are there.

Four of BVB’s last six games have featured two or three goals while all six of Atleti’s games have hit that mark, and that’s where I’m heading.    

 

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