Atletico Madrid v Bayer Leverkusen Europa League preview
Defending Europa League champions Atletico Madrid will look to continue the defence of their title as they take on Bayer Leverkusen at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on Thursday night.
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Atletico Madrid stumbled in the opening stage of their Europa League title defence when they were handed a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Greek side Aris at the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium in Thessaloniki. Atletico are a major threat to challenge for the La
Liga title this season and, should they eventually get back to their winning ways in Europe, should be favorites to recapture the Europa League crown. Atletico currently sit in fifth place in the Spanish Primera, a single point behind crosstown rivals Real
Madrid and a full three points behind league leaders Valencia. Atletico will view their match against Leverkusen as pivotal as they look to restore the order of dominance in group B.
Leverkusen have got off to a strong start in the German Bundesliga and currently sit in the top five as they hope to challenge for one of the coveted Champions League spots. They are currently tied with Hoffenheim on 11 points a full seven points back of
league leaders Mainz who are off to a perfect start with six consecutive wins. Bayer Leverkusen also took the full points in the Europa League two weeks ago in stunning fashion by traveling up to Norway and trouncing Rosenborg 4-0.
Players to watch
For Atletico, the man to always keep an eye is Uruguayan super striker Diego Forlan who already has three goals in La Liga this season. The 31-year-old striker has been the main man ever since coming to Atletico from Villareal at the start of the 2007-2008
season and has scored 89 goals, in all competitions, in just over three seasons since joining the club. Unfortunately for Forlan he can sometimes feel a little short of support and left to do it all himself. Atletico Madrid will be hoping that the recent return
of Argentinian striker Sergio "Kun" Aguero will alleviate some of that pressure. At the tender age of 22 Atletico expect big things from the diminutive striker if he can keep healthy.
For Bayer Leverkusen, Finnish veteran defender Sami Hyypia, who will be turning 37 next month, continues to be a major cog in the Leverkusen defence. Hyypia even managed to score a goal in Leverkusen's victory over VfB Stuttgart last weekend. The main source
for goals in Leverkusen typically come from their Swiss pair of midfielder Tranquilo Barnetta who acts the main supply line for striker Eren Derdiyok.
What to expect
This has to be seen by both clubs as the meeting between the two teams expected to progress through to the next round. Atletico should feel confident that even a slip up here won't mean the end of their European run, but no side ever feels good after dropping
points at home. Leverkusen will also feel that all won't be lost should they falter in Madrid on Thursday night, but they'll be brimming with confidence if they can steal any points and will feel like they could go all the way. Atletico will win 1-0.
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