Simeone is playing a decisive match in the quarter-finals today
"Leipzig Outing" worries Atlético on the European Champions' journey
Morata and Loriente made Atletico delight in the final price match against Liverpool. EBI
Commander of Leipzig Sabitzer in a previous meeting. From the source
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The Jose Alfaladi Stadium in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, today, is witnessing an important location for the Atletico Madrid team against Leipzig in the second round of 8 matches, which are played from one match, and with the mini-tournament system hosted by Lisbon, as the competition was postponed for many months due to the effects of the Corona virus pandemic.
Atletico coach, Argentine Diego Simeone, renews chasing a long-held historic dream for the team, as the team previously reached three finals, losing the first in 1974 to Bayern Munich, and on the following two occasions, they were led by Simeone, the first in 2014 against Real Madrid, and the second in 2016 Against the same team as well.
Simeone feels bitter, since he was very close to the coronation in previous periods, and he does not want to repeat the matter in the current tournament, which is an important opportunity for Atletico, as he is running with the ambition to save the season, after he left empty-handed from the domestic league and cup, besides losing the Spanish Super Cup Last January, and also to continue the championship path strongly, after he had the honor of ousting defending champion Liverpool from the final price, in the exciting second leg, which he won 3-2, and he won the first leg 1-0.
But the German team may not be an easy match, as it ousted last year's runners-up, Tottenham in the Round of 16, with a humiliating score (4-0) on aggregate. This will be the first historic confrontation between the two teams, and Atletico's results against German teams were mixed.
Atletico Angel Correa will miss handsome Versalico after they were confirmed to be infected with the Coronavirus a few days ago, in contrast, doubts are raised about Thomas Partey's participation. Simeone may bet on a squad that includes goalkeeper Jan Oblak, Trippi, Stephen Savic, Jose Jimenez, Renan Lodi, Marcos Yurianti, Saul Niguez, Kuki, Joao Felix, Diego Costa and Alvaro Morata. As for the Leipzig team, it will depend on its most prominent players Joseph Poulsen, Patrick Schick, Nkonko and captain Sabitzer, while doubts are surrounding Konate's participation.
The German team misses its top scorer Timo Werner, who is moving to Chelsea, who has four goals in the champions, and 28 goals in the Bundesliga last season.
A few days ago, the Madrid team conducted new tests for its players and its technical staff to detect the virus, and they were all negative.
The European Union protocol stipulates that all clubs must undergo tests 10 to 14 days before their first match in Portugal, in addition to another round of tests before leaving the country. Players, coaches and officials are also subject to checks on the eve of each match, and the matter will be repeated until the end of the tournament.
What unites the two teams is that they finished third in their local championships. Atletico played 11 matches in the league, which ended it 17 points ahead of Real Madrid, who won the title, without suffering any loss, winning seven matches and drawn four times, while the difference between Leipzig and Bayern, the Bundesliga champion, was 16 points.
Timo Werner, the most prominent absentee from Leipzig, who was transferred to Chelsea, and Atletico, Versaleco and Korea, due to Corona.
Al-Rukhi Blancos finished runner-up in the Champions League in 1974, 2014 and 2016.