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Champions League Preview: Atletico Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund

By Yahya Alikhan

Borussia Dortmund's players attend a training session at the Wanda Metropolitan stadium in Madrid on November 5, 2018 on the eve of the UEFA Champions League group A football match between Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP) (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund's players attend a training session at the Wanda Metropolitan stadium in Madrid on November 5, 2018 on the eve of the UEFA Champions League group A football match between Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP) (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images) /
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Borussia Dortmund will travel to Atletico Madrid where they hope to secure a place in the knockout stages of the 2018-2019 Champions League. Can they maintain their stellar start to the season and secure top spot in group A?

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Atletico Madrid

Domestic competition: DWDWD

Champions League: WWL

Wounded Atletico will have one thing on their mind for the upcoming fixture. And that is revenge. Diego Simeone’s men were completely humiliated by Borussia Dortmund the last time these two sides met about a fortnight ago. But getting a good result will not be easy. Atletico Madrid have been struggling in Spain, with their most recent result being a disappointing 1-1 draw against 18th place Leganes.

There’s no doubt that Atletico Madrid have been struggling this season. This is due to various issues but it all boils down to their defence. Atletico have had one of the best defences in Europe over the past few years but lately, it’s been struggling due to the poor performances at the back. This leaves a lot more pressure on the forwards. But the deadly duo of Diego Costa and Antoine Griezmann who were a real force last season just can’t seem to get going. Griezmann has 5 goals in 14 games this season while Costa has one goal and is yet to score in La Liga. Even the new hot signing Thomas Lemar has been unable to find his feet which leaves Atletico with a lot of work that needs to be done should they want to challenge top teams in the Champions League and La Liga.

28th February 2018, Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain; La Liga football, Atletico Madrid versus Leganes; Antonie Griezmann (Atl) discusses free-kick placement with team mates (Photo by Shot for Press/Action Plus via Getty Images)
28th February 2018, Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain; La Liga football, Atletico Madrid versus Leganes; Antonie Griezmann (Atl) discusses free-kick placement with team mates (Photo by Shot for Press/Action Plus via Getty Images) /

But Atletico can bounce back just as they did after heavy defeats in the 2016/2017 season, the Spaniards suffered heavy losses 3-0 losses to local rivals Real Madrid but rallied immediately after that with 3 wins and a draw. And statistically speaking Atletico have the upper hand when it comes to the upcoming fixture. Los Colchoneros have only lost once in 19 European games at the Wanda Metropolitano and haven’t lost to a German side since the 1996/1997 season to Dortmund who went all the way to win it against Juventus.

Borussia Dortmund:

Domestic competition: WWWDW

Champions League: WWW

Dortmund have already put themselves in a position where finishing second in the group just won’t cut it. Odds are that the second place team faces a much stronger opposition in the first round of the knockout stages. The club have already earned maximum points from their three games so far and a win here will secure top spot in the group.

The Black and Yellows are just one of two teams who are yet to concede a goal in the Champions League this year along with Juventus. Dortmund are unbeaten in all competitions this season, scoring 43 goals and conceding only 14. Sitting at the top of the table, Dortmund have the quality to run circles around Atletico Madrid but need to keep the upcoming Der Klassiker in mind which could see them go 7 points clear of Bayern in the Bundesliga.

WOLFSBURG, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 03: Players of Dortmund celebrate their 1-0 against Wolfsburg after the Bundesliga match between VfL Wolfsburg and Borussia Dortmund at Volkswagen Arena on November 3, 2018 in Wolfsburg, Germany. (Photo by Ronny Hartmann/Bongarts/Getty Images)
WOLFSBURG, GERMANY – NOVEMBER 03: Players of Dortmund celebrate their 1-0 against Wolfsburg after the Bundesliga match between VfL Wolfsburg and Borussia Dortmund at Volkswagen Arena on November 3, 2018 in Wolfsburg, Germany. (Photo by Ronny Hartmann/Bongarts/Getty Images) /

Fortune favours Borussia Dortmund when it comes to advancing to the round of 16. A win in Madrid will see the Black and Yellows advance and be crowned group winners. A draw would also see them through but will leave the top spot open to both teams. And a loss would depend on the outcome of the Monaco vs Club Brugge game. All in all, Favre knows that this is an important game but needs to keep in mind that the upcoming Klassiker can change the outcome of the Bundesliga.

Last Match: Borussia Dortmund 4-0 Atletico Madrid

The previous encounter between these two teams saw Borussia Dortmund hand Diego Simeone his worst ever defeat since he took charge of Atletico Madrid. Although the game could have gone either way after immense pressure from Atletico, Borussia Dortmund clawed their way back into the game and scored three goals in ten second half minutes. The Spaniards will be looking for revenge as they host Dortmund at the Wanda Metropolitano.

24 October 2018, North Rhine-Westphalia, Dortmund: Soccer: Champions League, Borussia Dortmund – Atlético Madrid, Group stage, Group A, Matchday 3: Dortmund’s Raphael Guerreiro (M) rejoices with his team over his goal to 2-0. Photo: Bernd Thissen/dpa (Photo by Bernd Thissen/picture alliance via Getty Images)
24 October 2018, North Rhine-Westphalia, Dortmund: Soccer: Champions League, Borussia Dortmund – Atlético Madrid, Group stage, Group A, Matchday 3: Dortmund’s Raphael Guerreiro (M) rejoices with his team over his goal to 2-0. Photo: Bernd Thissen/dpa (Photo by Bernd Thissen/picture alliance via Getty Images) /

Expected lineups

Atletico Madrid: Oblak – Juanfran, Giménez, Hernandez, Filipe Luís – Partey, Rodri, Saul, Correa – Griezmann, Kalinic

Borussia Dortmund: Bürki – Piszczek, Akanji, Zagadou, Hakimi – Witsel, Delaney – Pulisic, Reus, Sancho – Alcácer

Next. Borussia Dortmund's greatest Champions League moments. dark

Final Prediction: Atletico Madrid 1-1 Borussia Dortmund

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