Champions League Round of 16: Week Two Preview
July 27, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone (left) and assistant coach German Burgos (right) walk off the field during halftime against the San Jose Earthquakes at Candlestick Park. Atletico Madrid defeated the Earthquakes 4-3 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga) v. Atletico Madrid (La Liga)
Where: BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany
When: Wednesday, February 25 2:45pm Eastern, Fox Sports 2
Overview: Atletico Madrid were last season’s surprise Champions League runner-up, while Bayer Leverkusen’s best Champions League finish was runner up in 2002. Leverkusen have been able to navigate the Group Stage decently, but have had a bit of a horror show of late in the Knockout Stages of the competition. Atletico look to emulate last season’s success along with this season’s promising performances in La Liga to advance to the Champions League quarterfinals.
Bayer Leverkusen currently sit 6th place in the Bundesliga and have been in rather patchy form since the beginning of December. Bayer have only won 2 in their past 10 matches and are coming off a disappointing draw against Augsburg from the weekend. Despite conceding 5 to Wolfsburg recently, Leverkusen are normally well-drilled by manager Roger Schmidt. The commitment to defense and winning possession back allows for a threatening counter attack from a squad that has an abundance of blistering pace.
Atletico Madrid occupy 3rd place in La Liga. They have dominated cross-town rivals Real Madrid, while continuously falling victim to Barcelona. As a matter of fact, Barcelona are the only team to defeat Atleti in 2015 and they’ve done it three times. That aside, Diego Simeone has Atletico Madrid threatening to make another deep run in Champions League. After losing Thibault Courtois, Diego Costa, and Felipe Luis, the side reloaded and brought in Antoine Griezmann, Mario Mandzukic, Miguel Angel Moya, along with surprising contributions from the previously much maligned Fernando Torres. Torres has returned home a hero as it seems to have rejuvenated a career that was petering out.
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Players to Watch: Korean forward/attacking midfielder Son Heung-Min is Bayer Leverkusen’s most dangerous player. The young rising star is explosive, which has made him especially dangerous on counter attacks. He posses the creativity to find runners and can finish when called upon as evidenced by his 13 goals across all competitions this season.
Bursting on the Atleti scene since joining from Real Sociedad is midfielder Antoine Griezmann. The France international has been a revelation for Diego Simeone taking a role behind the striker from the wing position he held at Sociedad. Griezmann not only has speed, but a canny eye for goal. Look for him to continue his hot form as his impact would be a boost to Atletico Madrid’s chances.
Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 1, Atletico Madrid 3. It’s no fluke that Atletico won La Liga and made a run in this competition last season. They have the weapons to do damage and Bayer, especially a Leverkusen side severely struggling with form, will feel a harsh reality.