Atletico Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund Preview | 2023-24 UEFA Champions League

PREDICTED LINE-UPS

Atletico Madrid

PREDICTED XI (5-3-2): Oblak; Llorente, Witsel, Gimenez, Reinildo, Riquelme; Barrios, Koke, Samuel Lino; Griezmann, Morata

Borussia Dortmund

PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Kobel; Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen; Sabitzer, Emre Can, Brandt; Sancho, Fullkrug, Adeyemi

PREDICTION

Over the past year or so, it seemed like Diego Simeone had been adjusting and refining his football tactics, but those notions were largely dispelled over two legs against Inter. At times during that encounter, Atletico seemed on the verge of collapse, yet they managed to hold firm, displaying resilience and arguably outperforming their opponents in extra-time of the second leg. Borussia Dortmund, on the other hand, do not quite match the calibre of a typical Dortmund side. They advanced through a round of 16 tie against Dutch opposition and navigated through the so-called 'group of death' in the autumn, which featured only one team that has reached a European final in the last 17 years. Dortmund's inconsistent attacking players will face off against an Atletico side determined to secure a lead, no matter how narrow, to defend in Germany. Therefore, a low-scoring affair and under 2.5 goals seems to be on the cards.