Atletico Madrid will look to record a win in the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League for the first time when they host Feyenoord at the Civitas Metropolitano on Wednesday.
The 2023/24 UEFA Champions League is in full swing, with Matchday 2 of the group stage underway. The latest round of fixtures will draw to a close on Wednesday, with Groups E-H hosting their games. Meanwhile, the action will get underway in Spain, as Atletico Madrid will welcome Feyenoord to the Civitas Metropolitano.
Atletico Madrid would have hoped to kick-start the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League with a bang. But they could only manage a 1-1 draw with Lazio, leaving them behind table-toppers Feyenoord. Speaking of, the Eredivisie champions beat Celtic 2-0 to rise to the top of Group E standings.
Meanwhile, Diego Simeone’s men have been impressive thus far this season, only losing one of their eight games. They are fourth in La Liga, with only Barcelona scoring more goals than them and Real Madrid letting in fewer strikes. As for Feyenoord, the Dutch champions are unbeaten in all competitions but find themselves fourth in the Eredivisie after dropping points in two outings.
Wednesday will be the first competitive fixture involving Atletico Madrid and Feyenoord. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the UEFA Champions League encounter ahead of the maiden meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Atletico Madrid
📋 The squad list for Atleti vs Feyenoord. pic.twitter.com/ujKb0Qx6RT
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) October 3, 2023
Diego Simeone has several injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Against Feyenoord on Wednesday, the Atletico Madrid manager will be bereft of the services of six first-team players.
The Argentine tactician has been sweating over the fitness of Stefan Savic, who won’t be fit enough to feature this midweek. He will accompany Caglar Soyuncu (hip), Reinildo Mandava (knee), Pablo Barrios (foot), Thomas Lemar (Achilles), and Memphis Depay (muscle injury) on the sidelines.
Jan Oblak is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Atletico Madrid lining up in a 3-5-2 formation in front of him. The makeshift central defensive unit should feature Cesar Azpilicueta, Axel Witsel, and Mario Hermoso.
As for the midfield department, Saul Niguez, Koke, and Marcos Llorente will complete the numbers. The trio will look to keep things tight in the middle of the park, aiming to keep Feyenoord quiet during build-ups.
The formation choice means the wing-backs will provide width in the final third. So, Nahuel Molina and Javi Galan will have a lot riding on them. Finally, Antoine Griezmann and Alvaro Morata should be the two strikers for his team, with the former running the show in the offensive unit.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Oblak; Azpilicueta, Witsel, Hermoso; Molina, Saul, Koke, Llorente, Galan; Griezmann, Morata
Feyenoord
Like his counterpart in the Atletico Madrid dugout, Arne Slot has a few pressing roster issues to deal with ahead of the trip to the Civitas Metropolitano. The Feyenoord manager will be without three first-team players on Wednesday.
Santiago Gimenez is the most notable absentee for the visitors this midweek. The in-demand striker will serve the second of his two-match suspension, joining Justin Bijlow (arm) and Luka Ivanusec (ankle) on the sidelines.
Timon Wellenreuther should deputise for Bijlow in the goal, with Feyenoord lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him. Lutsharel Geertruida and Quilindschy Hartman should be the two full-backs, with the duo having creative freedom in the final third.
From rainy Rotterdam to sunny Spain. 🛩️#UCL pic.twitter.com/Cg6f7k4m28
— Feyenoord Rotterdam (@Feyenoord) October 3, 2023
But the wide duo will also help out defensively, remaining compact when the hosts push forward. They will line up alongside David Hancko and Gernot Trauner in the backline, with the two centre-backs also being proficient with the ball at their feet.
As for the midfield unit, Quinten Timber and Mats Wieffer will pair up in the double pivot. The duo will look to keep things tight in the middle of the park, looking to contain Antoine Griezmann. Meanwhile, Calvin Stengs will have a free role in the final third.
The 24-year-old will provide the creative impetus around the Atletico Madrid box, with wide attackers Yankuba Minteh and Igor Paixao playing around him. Finally, Ayase Ueda will spearhead the Feyenoord attack against Atletico Madrid.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Wellenreuther; Geertruida, Trauner, Hancko, Hartman; Timber, Wieffer; Minteh, Stengs, Paixao; Ueda
Key Stats
- Wednesday’s fixture will be the first-ever meeting between Atletico Madrid and Feyenoord.
- Atletico Madrid are unbeaten in their last 16 games at the Civitas Metropolitano across all competitions.
- But Diego Simeone’s men have won just one of their last 11 home matches in the UEFA Champions League (D7 L3).
- Feyenoord have now won an impressive six matches in a row, including the 2-0 victory over Celtic two weeks ago.
- The Eredivisie champions won their last two games in Europe’s top club competition – as many as in their previous 20.
Player to Watch
Antoine Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann has been arguably the best player in La Liga since the start of the 2022/23 season. The Frenchman has retained high performance levels at the onset of the new campaign, often running the show for Atletico Madrid. But it is high time he stepped up in the UEFA Champions League.
While the 32-year-old has still been decent in Europe’s premier club competition, there is room for improvement. So, if he manages to raise his performance levels on Wednesday, Atletico Madrid will be in business to secure a crucial three points.
Prediction
Atletico Madrid 1-1 Feyenoord
Atletico Madrid’s recent home record in the UEFA Champions League is dreadful. That is unlike the Colchoneros, who tend to be solid on home turf in La Liga. But their vulnerabilities will create an opportunity for Feyenoord, who will take the game to the hosts.
But Santiago Gimenez’s absence means, the Eredivisie champions will not be as prolific as they can be in the final third. But they should take that as an opportunity to shore up things at the back. With that in mind, The Hard Tackle predicts a 1-1 draw between the two sides on Wednesday.
