Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke.
Atletico Madrid must overturn a one-goal deficit to see off Bayer Leverkusen and reach the Champions League quarter-finals at the Vicente Calderon on Tuesday.
Diego Simeone’s side have struggled to repeat last season’s heroics so far this campaign and find themselves fourth in La Liga, nine points off leaders Barcelona having failed to win in their last four games.
While their defence has remained solid – they have conceded just two in that run - there are concerns over their lack of potency up front with Koke’s strike in a 1-1 draw with Valencia being Atletico’s only goal since a 3-0 win over Almeria in February.
They will be hoping that 20-goal striker Mario Mandzukic can rediscover his goalscoring touch to help fire them into the last eight.
vs
A Madrid v Leverkusen
- March 17, 2015
Leverkusen, meanwhile, have been in fine form, winning their last five games without conceding including their 4-0 thumping of Stuttgart on Friday.
That result keeps them fourth in the Bundesliga, two points off third but a whopping 22 points behind leaders Bayern Munich.
Team news
Atletico will be without Tiago Mendes, after his sending off in the first leg, and Diego Godin through suspension while defender Siqueira and midfielder Saul are both out injured.
Mario Mandzukic will be available, though, having been banned for the La Liga stalemate with Espanyol on Sunday.
Leverkusen have Lars Bender available for the trip to Madrid after he missed the win over Stuttgart with an ankle injury sustained in the opening leg against Atletico.
Opta facts
Bayer Leverkusen are unbeaten against Atletico Madrid in European competition (W1 D2).Their three encounters have only produced five goals.
Atletico Madrid have failed to score in their last 205 minutes in the Champions League, the longest current drought among the 16 remaining teams in the competition.
Simeone has won eight of his nine Champions League home games as Atletico Madrid manager. The only exception being a goalless draw against Chelsea in last season’s semi-final. In those nine games, his side have scored 24 goals and conceded only two.
Bayer Leverkusen have lost five of their six away games in the Champions League knockout stages (D1). They’ve conceded 18 goals and scored only five in those six outings.
Koke has delivered the most assists in the Champions League this season (four).
Bayer Leverkusen have conceded the most fouls in the Champions League this season (132) whilst Atletico have suffered the most (122).
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