UEFA Europa League Preview: Atletico Madrid v Bayer Leverkusen
Atletico are looking to get their defence of the Europa League crown back under way when the team takes on Bayer Leverkusen later on tonight. Atletico Madrid suffered a shock defeat in the opening round of matches in the Europa
this season when they went on to lose to Aris Thessaloniki.
However having won a trophy after fourteen years, the team does not plan on letting go of that title so easily. The team is hoping to be back to their very best starting tonight.
The team has only suffered two defeats this season so far and do not plan on suffering their third anytime soon.
Atleti will however be without one of their two new signings for tonight’s match. Diego Godin still hasn't recovered from his knee injury and will be out for another three weeks. However the team’s other signing, Fran Merida, who
was brought in from Arsenal, is back to full fitness and raring to go. The player was reported to have said: "We need to take the game by the scruff of the neck and win after the slip in Greece.”
"As well as that, at home we have to press hard so we feel from the first moment that we are going for the three points.''
The Leverkusen coach seems more than aware of the threat that the Spanish side possessed. He has however stated that he is not very intimidated by his team’s opponents tonight and will be looking to take the game to them. Leverkusen
are currently doing fairly well in the Bundesliga and are sitting pretty in the fifth spot.
The manager, Jupp Heynkes, who was previously once employed by Real Madrid went on to say, "We have come to Madrid to win,'' he said.
He then went on to further add, "I know and follow Spanish football''
"The team (Atletico) are well organised, play creative football and are good defensively - it was not always like that.''
With both the teams looking to go all out in the game tonight and leave nothing behind, it is shaping up to be a cracker. The fans will also be hoping the game manages to live up to its build up.
The experts are siding with Atletico Madrid, believing that the side from Madrid will win the match tonight. The team has been doing tremendously so far and they won't allow their German opponents to walk away with the three points
without giving them a fight for the ages.
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