Sabasports Match Preview
UEFA Champions League: Atletico Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund
Kickoff Time: 2024-04-11 03:00(HKT)
Source:REUTERS/Juan Medina
Atletico Madrid’s performance in La Liga this season has indeed
experienced a decline compared to previous seasons. Currently, they hold the
fourth position in the La Liga standings with a record of 18 wins, four draws,
and eight losses. They are only two points ahead of Athletic Club, which puts
their Champions League qualification in a precarious position. In the previous
UEFA Champions League Round of 16, Atletico Madrid faced Inter and the two
ended in a 2-2 draw on aggregate after two legs. They eventually advanced to
the quarterfinals by winning the subsequent penalty shootout. One notable
aspect of Atletico Madrid’s performance is their strong home record. In the
league, they have achieved an impressive record of 13 wins, one draw, and one
loss in 15 home games. Their home form has been formidable and has played a
significant role in their campaign. Atletico Madrid have a reputation for being
a team that thrives on an underdog status and doesn’t rely heavily on superstar
players. While they may not be considered favorites for winning the
championship, they have a history of utilizing high morale and a determined
playing style to push their opponents to their limits, especially in knockout
rounds.
In the Bundesliga last weekend, Borussia Dortmund suffered a 0-1 home
defeat to Stuttgart, putting an end to their five-game winning streak in all
competitions. Their performance in the Bundesliga this season has been
disappointing, with they currently sitting in fifth place in the standings. In
the previous UEFA Champions League Round of 16, Dortmund successfully
eliminated PSV Eindhoven with a 3-1 aggregate score over two legs. This marked
their return to the Champions League quarterfinals after a three-year absence.
However, their overall strength has noticeably declined in recent seasons, as
reflected in their current league ranking. Compared to the other teams that
have reached the quarterfinals, Dortmund are considered the weakest in terms of
overall strength. Their success in this season’s Champions League will heavily
rely on their exceptional performance and ability to overcome their
limitations.
Atletico Madrid, under the guidance of Diego Simeone, has an
impressive track record in the Champions League, having reached the quarter-finals
on seven occasions. Their experience and overall strength surpass that of
Dortmund. Additionally, Atletico Madrid’s home form is characterized by a
strong fighting spirit and resilience, as evident in their second-leg
performance against Inter in the Round of 16. With the advantage of playing at
home, Atletico Madrid are expected to take the lead in the upcoming match.
Atletico Madrid’s Last 5 Games: WLWLW
24-04-02 Villarreal 1-2 Atletico Madrid
24-03-18 Atletico Madrid 0-3 Barcelona
24-03-14 Atletico Madrid 2-1 Inter (PEN 3-2)
24-03-09 Cadiz 2-0 Atletico Madrid
24-03-03 Atletico Madrid 2-1 Real Betis
Borussia Dortmund’s Last 5 Games: LWWWW
24-04-07 Borussia Dortmund 1-0 VfB Stuttgart
24-03-31 Bayern Munich 0-2 Borussia Dortmund
24-03-18 Borussia Dortmund 3-1 Eintracht Frankfurt
24-03-14 Borussia Dortmund 2-0 PSV Eindhoven
24-03-10 Werder Bremen 1-2 Borussia Dortmund
Head To Head Record:
18-11-07 Atletico Madrid 2-0 Borussia Dortmund
18-10-25 Borussia Dortmund 4-0 Atletico Madrid
Prediction: Atletico Madrid to
win