Atletico Madrid are looking to take a first leg advantage in the Champions League quarterfinals when they face Borussia Dortmund in this series. These two teams had different campaign before qualifying for the quarterfinals. Atletico had a rough path entering the quarterfinals, needing to win on penalties against Inter. A 3-2 win on penalties for Atletico booked their ticket here, despite being down during the first leg. Meanwhile, it is the other way around for Dortmund, as they had a dominating journey coming into the quarterfinals. In fact, during the first leg of their knockout stage, Dortmund had a 1-1 draw, but are fortunate enough to dominate the second leg. The meeting between these two teams is on April 11, 2024, at 3:00 AM (GMT+8).
Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid defeated Inter in the first leg of their last-16 match at San Siro, despite Inter’s stingy defence. Atletico’s comeback on home turf secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals for the third time in five years. However, they have not progressed further since 2016-17, with RB Leipzig and Manchester City having already done so. To return to Europe’s top table for 2024-25, Atletico may need to pursue Champions League glory. In fact, they are just two points better off than Athletic Bilbao with eight games left. Despite only four of the hosts’ last 12 matches being trumps, Atletico has never suffered a Champions League knockout defeat at Wanda Metropolitano or their old Vicente Calderon home, prevailing in 10 of those 16 contests and scoring just four goals.
Griezmann returns to the France squad after an ankle injury, extending his 84-year streak of appearances. Thomas Lemar is sidelined with an Achilles tendon rupture, and Mario Hermoso is unable to play due to a thigh complaint. Alvaro Morata and Griezmann will form a strike partnership.
Borussia Dortmund
Atletico Madrid have won nine Champions League home games since November 2021, indicating that Dortmund have a tough task ahead. Edin Terzic’s team has topped the ‘group of death’ with Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Newcastle United, earning a last-16 date with PSV. However, Dortmund’s quick second-leg finish from Jadon Sancho and injury-time strike from Marco Reus helped them win at home. The German giants have suffered three consecutive quarter-final Champions League eliminations since 2013. On Easter weekend, Dortmund recorded a fifth consecutive win in all tournaments, but their momentum was halted in a 1-0 home defeat to Stuttgart. As they lie outside the Champions League places in the Bundesliga table, they cannot prioritize European glory or a top-four finish before Wednesday’s reunion with Atletico. Dortmund lost 2-0 to Atletico in the 2018-19 group stage after a 4-0 shellacking at Signal Iduna Park.
Dortmund’s manager, Terzic, has Nico Schlotterbeck back in the Champions League, but Ramy Bensebaini is missing. Donyell Malen is in treatment. Reus, Haller, and Bynoe-Gittens can be used for attacking options, but Niclas Fullkrug should return as the focal point despite eight games without a goal.
Prediction:
Atletico Madrid (1.5)
Odds: -0.85
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