It is a short turnaround in the Champions League for all teams in the group stage. On Tuesday night, Spain’s Atletico Madrid host reigning Austrian champions FC Red Bull Salzburg at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
Matchday 1 did not go well for Atletico Madrid. They were smashed 4-0 by reigning Champions League winners Bayern Munich. Diego Simeone’s team once again showed an inability to score goals.
Red Bull Salzburg had a better matchday 1 claiming a 1-1 draw versus Lokomotiv Moscow. The Austrians were on target to win the game but conceded a late goal allowing the Russians to claim a point.
Tuesday night’s game will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams. Atletico Madrid will fancy their chances despite matchday 1’s result versus Bayern Munich.
The La Liga team are a strong defensive side. They have allowed just five goals for an average of 0.83 goals per game in all competitions. Atletico Madrid have played six times in all competitions with just one game seeing both teams score goals.
Los Colchoneros have kept four clean sheets with two of those being wins to nil. Their defence could be stretched by an exciting Salzburg attack.
The Red Bulls have played 10 times in all competitions, scoring 39 goals. They have conceded just eight times. The quality of teams in Austria’s Bundesliga are not of the highest degree. Still, Red Bull Salzburg put two goals past Lokomotiv Moscow.
Jesse Marsch’s team also played in the Champions League playoff round, defeating Maccabi Tel Aviv with both teams scoring and over 2.5 goals tallied.
Salzburg did miss a big chance to claim all three points against Lokomotiv Moscow. It is believed that Salzburg and Lokomotiv will fight for third place in the group rather than second. So, getting any points possible is important.
Atletico Madrid are coming off of a 2-0 win against Real Betis in the league. Marcos Llorente and Luis Suarez both scored in the second half to give the team the win. The scoreline flattered them due to Suarez’s goal not coming until second-half stoppage-time.
Los Colchoneros’ goalscoring issues still aren’t resolved. However, Salzburg are built to attack, not defend. They should give up goals away from home.
Simeone could be without the duo of Saul Niguez and Diego Costa. Both are recovering from injuries. Sime Vrsaljko is ruled out until December with a muscle injury. Sazburg’s only injury is Antoine Bernede, who has a broken leg.
Tuesday night’s game should see Red Bull Salzburg struggle to control Atletico Madrid’s attack. The Spanish team’s quality should rise to the top at home in the Champions League.