Atlético Madrid will aim to overturn a thrilling 3-3 stalemate against Club Brugge when the two sides meet in the return leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout play-off at the Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano on Tuesday night. The tie is finely poised after the first leg at Jan Breydel Stadium delivered a six-goal spectacle that left everything to play for in Spain.
Last week’s first encounter saw Atlético race into a two-goal lead through an early penalty from Julián Álvarez and a close-range finish by Ademola Lookman just before half-time. However, Brugge responded in the second half with goals from Raphaël Onyedika and Nicolo Tresoldi to level before an own goal from Joel Ordóñez gave the Spanish side the lead again. In dramatic fashion, Christos Tzolis struck late to rescue a draw for the Belgian outfit.
The first leg was notable for its open, attacking play from both teams, with Brugge out-shooting Atlético and exerting strong control in midfield, a sign of their resilience and tactical confidence in European competition.
While Atlético historically boast a strong home record in Champions League knockout ties, unbeaten at home since 1997, their recent run against Brugge has been less convincing, with Atleti failing to win their last four meetings against the Belgian side. Brugge have shown they can trouble Spanish opposition, and their spirited comeback only underlined that threat.
Atletico Madrid vs Club Brugge possible starting lineup
Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Molina, Pubill, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Koke, Llorente, Lookman; Sorloth, Alvarez
Club Brugge: Mignolet; Seys, Mechele, Ordonez, Sabbe; Vanaken, Vetlesen, Stankovic; Diakhon, Tresoldi, Tzolis