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Atletico Madrid logo
Champions League | Group Stage
Sep 30, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Benfica

1-2

Correa (23')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Gaitan (36'), Cuedes (51')

Preview: Atletico Madrid vs. Benfica

Sports Mole previews the Champions League Group C clash between Atletico Madrid and Benfica.

Atletico Madrid got their Champions League campaign off to a winning start by defeating Galatasaray and now face Benfica in their second Group C contest.

The Portuguese side recorded a 2-0 victory over Astana in their first game of the competition and will travel to the Vicente Calderon Stadium looking to maintain their 100% record.


Atletico Madrid

Club Atletico de Madrid players celebrate after scoring their opening goal during the La Liga match between Atletico de Madrid and Getafe at Vicente Calderon Stadium on September 22, 2015 in Madrid, Spain.© Getty Images

Diego Simeone's men opened their European season with a 2-0 victory over Galatasaray as Antoine Griezmann notched a brace to fire the club to victory.

Atletico put in a solid display at the Turk Telekom Arena to prove that their status as favourites to win the group was justified as they shut out the Turkish side with a resilient performance at the back.

Rojiblancos suffered their second defeat of their La Liga campaign at the weekend as a strike from Leo Baptistao secured a 1-0 win over Villarreal at the Estadio El Madrigal.

Simeone's side have had a good start to their league season, but due to the competitive nature of La Liga they find themselves in fifth place, despite winning four out of their six matches.

Atletico have been resolute at the back at the start of the campaign, conceding just three goals in their seven matches, which have included clean sheets in all five of their victories. Only Barcelona and Villarreal have breached their defence so far this season.

Rojiblancos have been clinical when they have needed to be in the final third. Griezmann has begun the campaign where he left off last season by notching five goals, while Fernando Torres has also shown good form in front of goal with two strikes.

Simeone has plenty of firepower at his disposal, including Argentine forward Angel Correa, which they will need against the Portuguese champions to continue their winning start to their European campaign.

Recent form: W
Recent form (all competitions): WLWWWL


Benfica

Benfica's Argentinian midfielder Nico Gaitan (R) celebrates a goal with teammate Brazilian forward Jonas Oliveira (L) during the UEFA Champions League football match SL Benfica vs FC Astana at the Luz stadium in Lisbon on September 15, 2015© Getty Images

Benfica have had a similar start to the campaign to their opponents on Wednesday, which included a 2-0 win over Astana in their Champions League opener.

Strikes from Nicolas Gaitan and Kostas Mitroglou were enough to guide them past the Kazakh side to get their European campaign off to a winning start at the Estadio da Luz.

Rui Vitoria's men have had a solid start to their Primeira Liga season, winning four of their opening six matches, which has left them third in the table behind Sporting Lisbon and Porto.

The Aguias lost their showdown against Porto two weeks ago to fall behind the Azuis e broncos in the table, but the club responded with a 3-0 win over Pacos de Ferreira.

Jonas's form has been the highlight of the campaign for Vitoria's side as he has notched seven goals this season, including a brace in their win at the weekend.

Benfica are currently the top scorers in the Primeira Liga with 16 goals this season, which should provide a threat against the resolute Atletico backline.

Defensively, the Portuguese have been solid, conceding just five goals in their eight matches. However, Vitoria's side will be tested by the potent attack of Madrid at the Vicente Calderon.

Recent form: W
Recent form (all competitions):


Team News

Koke for Atletico Madrid on October 4, 2014© Getty Images

Koke is a doubt for the home side as he is still struggling with a hamstring injury, which forced him out of the defeat to Villarreal.

Thomas and Jesus Gamez have not travelled with the side, but Simeone has no fresh injury worries ahead of the clash.

Jackson Martinez and Torres will both be vying to start alongside Griezmann in attack, although the Spaniard is favourite to lead the line.

Long-term absentee Eduardo Salvio is Benfica's only injury worry ahead of the clash as he continues to recover from a torn ACL.

Andre Almeida may be preferred to Talisca in the midfield, while Mitroglou and Jonas will continue to lead the line in attack following their impressive start to the campaign.

Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:
Oblak; Juanfran, Gimenez, Godin, Luis; Gabi, Niguez, Mendes, Carrasco; Griezmann, Torres

Benfica possible starting lineup:
Cesar; Nelsinho, Luisao, Jardel, Eliseu; Guedes, Samaris, Almeida, Gaitan; Mitroglou, Jonas


Head To Head

The two sides will meet for the first time at the Vicente Calderon in a competitive fixture.

Atletico have played Portuguese opposition six times, all of which have been against Porto. They have won twice, drawn twice and lost twice in their clashes against the Azuis e broncos.

Benfica have failed to beat Spanish opposition in their 15 meetings, losing eight games and drawing seven.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Atletico Madrid 2-0 Benfica

Both teams come into the match in good form for what is expected to be a balanced clash at the Vicente Calderon. However, Simeone's men may just have enough to edge the fixture due to their form at home and their goalscoring prowess in the final third.



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Written by
Simon Sinclair
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Atletico Madrid's Uruguayan defender Diego Godin (L) vies with Villarreal's Ivorian defender Eric Bally during the Spanish league football match Villarreal CF vs Club Atletico de Madrid at El Madrigal stadium in Villareal on September 26, 2015.
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