Atlético Madrid faced a challenging moment after their latest defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, ahead of traveling to the Jan Breydel Stadium. They sit neither as favorites nor as dominant in Group B, with two matches completed. The clash with Bruges, the current group leader, arrives amid the unsettled mood surrounding Ferran Jutglà and the persistent question marks that have shadowed Atlético in recent seasons as the Champions League group stage heads toward the final round of fixtures.
Historically, Atlético has shown resilience in this competition. In the 2021-22 season, they won at Do Dragao, a repeat of the previous campaigns when they secured a 0-2 victory at Salzburg in 2020-21. In 2019-20 they beat Lokomotiv Moscow 2-0 at the Metropolitano, and in 2018-19, despite already qualifying, they did not let up completely, finishing top of their quartet with a 0-0 result in Bruges, demonstrating a decisive late contribution even when already safe. Those moments illustrate Atlético’s capacity to navigate the group stage until qualification is secured. Date
There is still much to unfold before Tuesday’s match—three days away—but Bruges has defied early predictions in the first two rounds of the competition. They have defeated Bayer Leverkusen twice (1-0) and registered a commanding 4-0 result against Porto, earning six points and placing pressure on Diego Simeone’s group to aim for top spot. The Belgian side’s resurgence raises the stakes for Atlético as they approach the final rounds, where every result matters for advancement and seeding.
A defeat would weigh heavily on the planning for the second leg in the group. If there is a significant gap—six points with nine games remaining—first place becomes a tougher target and qualification may hinge on the outcome of the Bayer Leverkusen versus Porto match. The margin of error would shrink dramatically under the weight of the pressure and the vertigo of the race for progress.
Three points from the away game, plus the pending home clash between Bayer Leverkusen and Porto at the Metropolitano next week, would still leave Atlético in a position to excel. Without a strong result and the momentum of a victory, each match becomes a test of consistency and belief. In recent Champions League outings, Atlético has shown vulnerability, winning only nine of their last 26 group-stage matches, with six draws and eleven losses, including four losses in the last eight starting appearances in the tournament. These numbers underscore the need for a breakthrough performance to change the narrative in Europe.
Attention also turns to Sevilla, who faced a significant result last weekend. Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán hosted a 0-2 win, a match that saw Stefan Savić and José María Giménez return to the back line, strengthening the defense, while the team created more chances and demonstrated superiority over a subdued opponent. Whether this display signals a broader revival remains to be seen, but it certainly adds intrigue to the upcoming fixtures for Atlético and their rivals in the group. Bruges will seek to prove their truth on the pitch, showing they can sustain a high level in European competition.
In terms of squad management, Nahuel Molina faced a cramp that kept him away from finishing the season strong, while coach Diego Simeone prepared for the match with his usual blend of experience and experimentation. The coach’s selections could see Rodrigo de Paul, Thomas Lemar, and Mario Hermoso back on the bench after decisive contributions in the recent win against Sevilla. Álvaro Morata started last weekend and found the net again, while Joao Félix could feature from the reserves as the attack rhythm is tweaked. The decision to maintain Matheus Cunha on the left or to bring Yannick Carrasco back into the lineup, with Ángel Correa potentially stepping in on the right if Llorente shifts to the flank, adds tactical debate to the final plans. If Molina isn’t fully fit, Llorente might cover the right or another adjustment could be made to preserve balance and drive in the attack.
Those choices shape the probable starting eleven and the overall approach. The defense could see Jan Oblak in goal, with Savic and Giménez as central figures, Reinildo Mandava at left back, and Molina on the right if his condition allows. In midfield, Koke Resurrección, Axel Witsel, and Saúl Ñíguez are likely to feature, with Marcos Llorente available to fill in if one member of the trio reports limited recovery from the Sevilla match. The lineup aims to maintain solidity while keeping enough offensive impetus to threaten Bruges, whose own threat in attack, led by Ferran Jutglà, cannot be ignored.
Bruges, the sole leader of Champions League Group B, comes off a 3-0 league victory over Mechelen. The win keeps them ahead in the Belgian league table and underscores their early-season form. The teenage Spaniard Ferrán Jutglà has been instrumental, delivering six goals and nine assists in the domestic league at the season’s start and adding another goal in the Champions League against Porto. His performance has highlighted Bruges’ ability to convert chances and influence games at the highest level. Led from the bench by Carl Hoefkens and with Hans Vanaken directing the midfield, Bruges has shown consistency in Europe, suffering only a single defeat in their last five league matches, a sign of resilience amid the early campaign expectations.
Possible squads include Mignolet in goal for Bruges; Odoi, Sylla, Mechele, Sobol in defense; Vanaken and Nwadike in midfield; Nielsen in the forward line, with Sowah, Ferran Jutglà, and Olsen providing the attacking options. Atlético Madrid might line up Oblak in goal; Molina or Llorente at right back, Savic and Giménez as central defenders, Reinildo at left back; Koke, Witsel, and Saúl in midfield; with Llorente or Correa on the right, Morata up front, and Cunha or Carrasco operating on the left. István Kovács from Romania is assigned as the referee. The match is set to take place at Jan Breydel Stadium, with kickoff at 21:00. These are the elements shaping the expectations for an important Champions League encounter and a potential turning point for both teams in Group B. (citation: competition records and team announcements)