Feyenoord vs Atletico Madrid Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats

Feyenoord will want a win to open up Group E and end the unbeaten start to the Champions League campaign for Atletico Madrid.

Feyenoord must put things right with their Champions League campaign against Atletico Madrid, with Arne Slot’s men having had an inconsistent beginning among Europe’s elite. The Eredivisie champions have shown strength in winning their two home games but have faltered on the road.

In the last matchday, they were narrowly beaten by Lazio in Italy, although they did record a win in the reverse fixture. They also have a home win against Celtic to show for their cause, but the defeat in the previous round ensured Slot’s men slipped into third behind their Italian counterparts.

At the weekend, Feyenoord ensured a win over Excelsior courtesy of a Santiago Gimenez hat-trick. However, they still have a lot to do in reducing the gap to leaders PSV Eindhoven, who are ahead with a seven-point advantage. Now, Slot will focus on Europe, with this clash with Atletico Madrid being a must-win encounter, as a loss here and a win for Lazio over Celtic would all but end their hopes of qualification from this group.

Diego Simeone may have steered Atletico Madrid to the top of their Champions League group, but there are still a lot of vulnerabilities ahead. The Rojiblancos only have a slender advantage at the top, with Lazio and Feyenoord breathing down their neck.

A loss to Feyenoord on Tuesday will surely open up the group, while a win will all but guarantee a place in the knockout stages. Hence, like his counterpart, Simeone will consider this trip to the Netherlands a must-win encounter.

Antoine Griezmann was the star at the weekend, with his solitary strike sealed the three points against Mallorca in La Liga. Simeone will know the importance of winning at Feyenoord. Still, they have failed to win their last six Champions League away clashes, with their previous victory coming in 2022 against Manchester United.

Team News & Tactics

Feyenoord

Arne Slot does have a few concerns with his squad, with at least three of his stars out of contention. At the weekend, Feyenoord lost right-back Bart Nieuwkoop to a hamstring problem, which should keep him out for a few weeks at the very least.

Winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh missed the game at the weekend as he is yet to recover from the injury sustained with Iran during the international break. Slot could tweak his lineup based on the available players and revert to an attacking 4-3-3 with goals on his mind.

Nieuwkoop’s absence could allow Gernot Trauner to move into the right-back slot, as the manager might retain the other three players at the back from the weekend. Calvin Stengs could move into the right side of the front three as a potential positional replacement for Jahanbakhsh.

Hat-trick hero Santiago Gimenez will continue to lead the line for Feyenoord without a doubt and will have Igor Paixao’s support from the attack’s left-hand side. Slightly behind, the Mexican will rely on Quentin Timber and Mats Wieffer’s creative support from attacking midfield positions.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Bijlow; Trauner, Geertruida, Hancko, Hartman; Wieffer, Zerrouki, Timber; Stengs, Gimenez, Paixao

Atletico Madrid

Diego Simeone has no fresh absentees, with Thomas Lemar and Vitolo being the only ones missing from action ahead of the trip to Feyenoord. The Atletico Madrid manager might make a few changes from his weekend’s selection, with some of those rested for the Mallorca clash set for a start in midweek.

Jose Maria Gimenez, Rodrigo Riquelme and Nahuel Molina are all set for the starts, while Rodrigo De Paul will also play. The Argentine midfielder will likely make his third start in the Champions League this season after missing the Celtic clash at home.

Simeone prefers Riquelme to replace Samuel Lino on the left flank with Molina on the other wing. Angel Correa could drop down to the bench in favour of three midfielders in the middle, with Koke, De Paul and Saul Niguez all set to get starts together.

Simeone will go with his two strikers up front. Alvaro Morata and in-form star man Antoine Griezmann in the attack. The Frenchman will want to keep his decent good run intact, as he will want to finish the game in a decisive fashion.

Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Oblak; Witsel, Gimenez, Hermoso; Molina, De Paul, Koke, Niguez, Riquelme; Griezmann, Morata

Key Stats

• Feyenoord have won their last seven games at home in all competitions.
• Santiago Gimenez has taken his tally to 28 goals in 2023, the best in the Eredivisie since Luis Suarez’s 30 strikes in 2009.
• Atletico Madrid have yet to win an away Champions League game in their last six attempts.
• Atletico Madrid have lost only one of their last 13 competitive games in all competitions.
• If Atletico Madrid progress, it will be the fifth time in 6 seasons that they will play knockout football in the Champions League.

Player to Watch

Antoine Griezmann

There are a lot of talking points ahead of Atletico Madrid’s clash with Feyenoord. But the absolute focus will be on some of the big-name attackers taking the field. Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez certainly brings the spotlight on him, but not more than Antoine Griezmann.

The Frenchman proved his mettle again at the weekend, with his solitary strike proving the difference against RCD Mallorca. He is also made for the big stage. The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner will want to take Atletico Madrid into the knockout stages in style and create a decisive contribution in the final third to down Feyenoord, who are potentially out of contention to reach the next round.

Prediction

Feyenoord 2-2 Atletico Madrid

Feyenoord have been one of the free-scoring teams in Europe, and they will want to hurt Atletico in the best way possible, that is, in the final third. Santiago Gimenez provides the Dutch side with the firepower needed in games of this magnitude.

A draw is anticipated in this clash, opening up the group entering the final matchday. Feyenoord has much at stake and will not bow out without a fight. Atletico Madrid also have a few individuals to turn the game around. Still, their recent away form in the Champions League points towards a draw, which is the likeliest result on Tuesday night.