RB Leipzig go up against one of the strongest defensive teams in European football on Thursday night as the clubs clash in the Champions League quarterfinals in Lisbon.
Julian Nagelsmann’s team have the second longest odds to win the Champions League from this point according to major sportsbooks. One reason for those odds are due to the loss of striker Timo Werner.
RB Leipzig sold Werner to Chelsea at the beginning of the summer and the deal has now gone through. He scored 34 goals for the club in 2019-20 with four of those coming in the Champions League.
Diego Simeone’s team still have a lot to do against one of the most exciting teams in Germany. However, their job on the defensive side of the pitch may be easier without Werner lining up against them.
RB Leipzig were hot and cold after the Bundesliga restart and by the time they kick off on Thursday night, will have been off since June 27. The time off could be detrimental to their efforts of going through to the semifinals for the first time ever.
Simeone’s team are no strangers to reaching the latter stages of the Champions League. They were runners-up in 2014 and 2016. They reached the semifinals again in 2017. Since then, Atletico Madrid have struggled to get back to the same heights. They did win the 2018 Europa League.
Although Atletico Madrid’s defence is still strong, their goal scoring is not. They are led in goals by Alvaro Morata with 16 goals in all competitions. Joao Felix, who was bought for €126 million, has been a bust with just eight goals in all competitions.
Without Werner, Nagelsmann will most likely start Patrik Schick as the team’s target man. Schick had 10 goals in 26 games in all competitions. Dani Olmo and Christopher Nkunku are likely to support him.
Centre-back Ibrahima Konate is set to miss the game with a hip injury. Meanwhile, left-back Marcel Halstenberg is set to return to the team.
Simeone will be without his defensive lynchpin in the centre of midfield as Thomas Partey – who's linked with a transfer to Arsenal – has a thigh muscle strain.
RB Leipzig are in their first ever Champions League knockout stage campaign. The club have so far played well previously knocking out Tottenham Hotspur in the round of 16, 4-0 on aggregate. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid eliminated reigning champions Liverpool.
🔴⚪️ Die Vorbereitung geht weiter 🔴⚪️Noch 3 Tage 🔜 #UCL #MissaoFinal pic.twitter.com/K3fKznzn96— RB Leipzig (@DieRotenBullen) August 10, 2020
🔴⚪️ Die Vorbereitung geht weiter 🔴⚪️Noch 3 Tage 🔜 #UCL #MissaoFinal pic.twitter.com/K3fKznzn96
Thursday night’s game should be a defensive showdown with clear cut chances few and far between. The quarterfinal should see under 2.5 goals scored with the game finishing in a score draw. The quarterfinal between RB Leipzig and Atletico Madrid should see the sides go to extra-time.