Atletico Madrid are set to face Dutch champions, Feyenoord in the second group stage fixture of the UEFA Champions League, hosted at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday.
In their campaign opener last month, Atletico were held to a 1-1 draw by Lazio, with Lazio’s goalkeeper Ivan Provedel scoring a remarkable header in the 95th minute to equalize.
However, Atletico have been in fine form recently, winning three consecutive games since that draw. In their most recent match, they secured an impressive 3-2 comeback victory over Cadiz in La Liga, with Ángel Correa scoring a brace and Nahuel Molina netting an early second-half goal.
It’s worth noting that Atletico have won just two of their last 11 Champions League group matches. Nevertheless, they have responded admirably to setbacks, as evidenced by their victory over arch-rivals Real Madrid with a score of 3-1 in La Liga, along with subsequent wins over Osasuna and the aforementioned comeback against Cadiz.
Diego Simeone is well aware of the pressure to perform in a competitive group and will aim to avoid consecutive group-stage elimination this season. Atletico Madrid faced an early exit from the Champions League, and Simeone is determined to prevent a similar fate this time, especially not losing to Eredivisie opposition at home in their first competitive encounter with Feyenoord. The Argentine coach expects his team to display the same spirit they showed in their comeback victory against Cadiz, where Angel Correa scored twice.
Feyenoord, on the other hand, enter the match in excellent form, having won six consecutive games. They started their Champions League campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Scottish champions, Celtic and continued their winning streak in the Eredivisie, including a 3-1 home win against Go Ahead Eagles, where Stengs found the net, and on-loan winger Yankuba Minteh and Santiago Giménez added two more goals.
In contrast to Atletico’s high-pressure situation, Feyenoord enter their second Group E fixture with a sense of relief, having enjoyed a strong start in the Champions League.
Calvin Stengs and Alireza Jahanbakhsh both scored on their Champions League debut in a 2-0 victory over Celtic last month, marking the Dutch champions’ second consecutive win in Europe’s premier club competition, a significant improvement from their previous 20 games.
While Feyenoord may view earning more than a point away against the Rojiblancos as a bonus, they are determined to make their return to the big stage a remarkable one and as such, De Trots van Zuid would put on a strong showing.
Recent results indicate their potential to contend for a spot in the knockout stages, as they have scored an impressive 26 goals in their last six games, remaining unbeaten in eight matches, including a 3-1 Eredivisie win against Go Ahead Eagles.
Although star striker Santiago Gimenez will be suspended for the match, Feyenoord aim to upset Atletico and secure consecutive wins at the start of a Champions League campaign for the first time, despite a challenging away record that includes seven losses in their last eight Champions League fixtures away from De Kuip, with the last five being defeats.
Atletico Madrid Vs Feyenoord Match Details
- Date: 4th October 2023
- Venue: Civitas Wanda Metropolitano
- Location: Madrid, Spain
- Kick off time: 5:45pm BST
- Referee: François Letexier FRA
- Assistant referees: Mehdi Rahmouni FRA, Cyril Mugnier FRA
- Video Assistant Referee: Massimiliano Irrati ITA
- Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Jérôme Brisard FRA
- Fourth official: Jérémy Stinat FRA
Atletico Madrid vs. Feyenoord Match Stats and head-to-head
The upcoming match between Atletico Madrid and Feyenoord marks their first-ever competitive encounter, although they previously faced each other in a pre-season friendly in 2021, resulting in a 2-1 home victory for Feyenoord.
Atletico Madrid boast a perfect home record this season, having scored three goals in each of the three games played at their home stadium. However, it’s worth noting that The Rojiblancos have faced challenges in the Champions League, as they are winless in their last six games in the competition, failing to score in three of those matches.
On the other hand, Feyenoord have experienced recent success in the Champions League, winning their last two games in the competition. Before these victories, they suffered defeats in five consecutive matches.
In matches against Dutch teams in UEFA competitions, Atletico Madrid have secured five wins out of 10 meetings, while they have suffered four defeats, with one match ending in a draw.
Feyenoord’s record against Spanish opponents in Europe shows seven wins and seven defeats in 16 meetings. This should be an exciting match-up but fans with Atletico Madrid tickets will expect the Spaniard’s to be too strong for the Dutch outfit on home soil.
Atletico Madrid Vs Feyenoord Team News
The Rojiblancos will be without Pablo Barrios, Thomas Lemar, Caglar Soyuncu, and Reinildo. Rodrigo De Paul returned from injury, and Memphis Depay is hopeful of recovering in time for the match.
Atletico will welcome back Alvaro Morata after his suspension, providing more options in the attacking department. Morata is expected to replace Angel Correa, who scored a brace over the weekend. In the left flank battle, Rodrigo Riquelme, Javi Galan, and Samuel Lino are competing for a start. One certainty in the attack is Antoine Griezmann, who has an impressive record in Champions League home matches for Atletico, with 26 goal involvements in 32 games.
Feyenoord, on the other hand, will continue without top goalscorer, Santiago Gimenez, who serves the second game of his suspension.
Ayase Ueda is likely to replace him, while Yankuba Minteh or Igor Paixao could be alternative options. Luka Ivanusec remains unavailable due to an injury sustained against Celtic, and Justin Bijlow, the first-choice goalkeeper, is sidelined, with Timon Wellenreuther expected to stand in once again.
Atletico Madrid vs. Feyenoord predicted lineup
Atletico Madrid predicted lineup:
Oblak; Azpilicueta, Witsel, Hermoso; Molina, Saul, Koke, Llorente, Galan; Griezmann, Morata
Feyenoord predicted lineup:
Wellenreuther; Geertruida, Trauner, Hancko, Hartman; Timber, Wieffer; Minteh, Stengs, Paixao; Ueda
Atletico Madrid Vs Feyenoord Prediction
Feyenoord and Atletico Madrid both enter this match in fine form, with Feyenoord having won six consecutive matches, including their victory against Celtic in the previous Champions League fixture. Atletico Madrid have recorded three consecutive wins, scoring eight goals in the process. Both teams have displayed attacking prowess in recent games.
Considering the strong form of both teams, there’s a likelihood of both teams finding the net in this encounter. Both teams have been scoring consistently in their respective leagues and recent matches, making a “both teams to score” prediction a reasonable choice. The match is expected to be intense and potentially high-scoring given the attacking capabilities of both sides.
