Atlético, against itself in Bruges
Atlético de Madrid visits Bruges this Wednesday for the first leg of the Champions League 'playoff', forced to offer its best version after an irregular season and with the pressure to achieve a good result before the return leg at the Metropolitano.
TL;DR
- Atlético Madrid must show their best form against Club Brugge in the Champions League after an inconsistent season.
- Key Atlético players were rested in the recent 3-0 league defeat to Rayo Vallecano and are expected to feature against Brugge.
- Atlético has struggled away from home this season, with only one win in four Champions League away games.
- Club Brugge has also experienced an up-and-down European campaign but is looking to capitalize on their home advantage.
- Atlético faces pressure to advance in the Champions League, as failure to do so would be a disappointment.
- Atlético's domestic league title hopes are effectively over, sitting 15 points behind Real Madrid.
- Club Brugge's coach, Ivan Leko, acknowledges Atlético's potential for bad days but is not settling for a draw.
- Brugge's domestic form is solid, sitting third in the Jupiler Pro League.
- Atlético has never won in Bruges in their previous four encounters.