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Match Preview & Prediction
Bayer Leverkusen could not have wished for a worse start on the home front in the Bundesliga after Die Wurkself has endured its worse start in the league in decades, which has already carried over into their Champions League campaign on matchday one when they fell in a 1-0 away loss to Belgian champions Club Brugge KV.
The absence of German wunderkind Florian Wirtz, as well as the continued injury concerns surrounding Karim Bellarabi and Amine Adli remains a problem area for club boss Gerardo Seoane who has yet to resolve the lack of real and consistent creativity in the side regardless of attacking options the likes of Moussa Diaby and Patrick Schick.
By contrast, Atlético Madrid has also started below expectations on the home front but instead has begun life in the Champions League for another season on the front foot when they dispatched fellow group favorite FC Porto in Madrid by a 2-1 scoreline and should be good value to make it two wins in two to take control of the group under Diego Simeone.
Atléti’s vaunted ability to defend in depth and frustrate their opponents, irrespective of whether or not they are at home or away, should prove decisive given Leverkusen’s real struggle in finding the back of the net this season given the aforementioned problem areas. They will create their chances, but Atléti’s European pedigree should get them over the line.
Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 0-2 Atlético Madrid