Atletico Madrid will play host to Chelsea in Matchday two of the Champions League on Wednesday night. The Spanish giants have moved away from the Vicente Calderon, and their fans will get the first experience of European football at the new Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
Atleti have made a strong start to the La Liga campaign this term, and they are currently four points adrift of leaders Barcelona, who hold the perfect league record. Meanwhile, the Blues have also come into their own over the past few weeks, and they are three points behind the Manchester clubs – Manchester City and Manchester United.
Previous meeting:
The previous outing between the clubs was in the 2013/14 Champions League semi-final with Atleti triumphant at Stamford Bridge by a 3-1 scoreline. Atleti drew 0-0 against the Blues in the first-leg of the semi-final, but they came up with a strong performance to reach the competition’s finale, which Real Madrid won.
Players to watch for:
Antoine Griezmann – Atletico Madrid:
The France international is the main attraction in the Atleti ranks owing to his goal-scoring potential. Griezmann has notched two goals and an assist in the Spanish La Liga this term, and his showing is likely to have a significant say on the result. Atleti drew their Champions League opener against AS Roma, and this makes the game more important as a negative result could hamper their chances of progressing beyond the group.
Alvaro Morata – Chelsea:
Morata has become a huge hit for the Blues in the space of just over a month. The Spaniard has already amassed six goals in the Blues shirt – including his maiden Premier League hat-trick in the 4-0 thumping of Stoke City last weekend. Morata has shown his extreme pace behind the opposition backline and does not have any weaknesses with three of his goals, having come from leaping headers.
Prediction:
Atleti have the tendency of winning games by a 1-0 scoreline in Europe, but this game could involve goals with Antonio Conte likely to set up his Chelsea side to earn a draw at least.
Atletico Madrid 2-2 Chelsea
Image – Getty