Atlético Madrid are set to host German champions Bayer Leverkusen at the Estadio Metropolitano this evening as Diego Simeone’s men chase a top-8 spot in the league phase of the Champions League.
Atleti’s pursuit of a top-8 spot is justified; it would mean direct passage to the last 16 of the competition and avoiding a two-legged playoff tie.
Diego Simeone could be set to field a pretty similar side to the one which fell to a 1-0 loss against Leganes at the weekend, with one or two changes possible.
The biggest team news for Atleti is the return to training of summer signing Alexander Sørloth, who could possibly make the bench against Leverkusen.
Elsewhere, Marcos Llorente could possibly return to the starting lineup after coming off the bench at the weekend, as has been the case for Atlético in the Champions League so far this season.
Atlético Madrid predicted XI vs Bayer Leverkusen
Jan Oblak – Marcos Llorente, Robin Le Normand, Clement Lenglet, Javi Galán – Giuliano Simeone, Rodrigo De Paul, Pablo Barrios, Conor Gallagher – Antoine Griezmann, Julian Álvarez
