Atletico Madrid vs Club Brugge: Simeone’s men seek decisive edge in 3-3 thriller sequel

Madrid, Spain – All square at 3-3 and everything still to play for, Atletico Madrid welcome Club Brugge to the Cívitas Metropolitano on Tuesday aiming to turn an enthralling Champions League knockout play-off tie in their favour and book a last-16 berth.

The first leg in Belgium eight days ago delivered six goals and non-stop drama, Brugge fighting back late to secure a 3-3 draw after Atletico had twice led. Diego Simeone’s side now hope the fervour of a home crowd will tip the balance, while the visitors arrive bolstered by a four-match unbeaten streak across all competitions.

Team news

Atletico remain without midfield pair Nicolás González and Pablo Barrios, both recovering from muscle and thigh complaints and not expected to return before early March. There are no suspension issues for Simeone, leaving the Argentine coach with a full senior squad from which to choose. Alexander Sørloth, buoyant after a weekend brace in the 4-2 comeback win over Espanyol, is set to lead the line, flanked by Ademola Lookman. The Nigeria international has hit the ground running in red-and-white, registering four goals and two assists in his first six appearances.

Club Brugge must cope without midfield linchpin Raphael Onyedika, whose 76th-minute caution in the first leg triggered a one-match UEFA ban. Goalkeeper Dani van den Heuvel and teenager Lynnt Audoor remain sidelined through injury. In Onyedika’s absence, Aleksandar Stankovic is expected to anchor midfield, with captain Hans Vanaken operating in a more advanced creative role. The front three of Christos Tzolis, Nicolò Tresoldi and Mamadou Diakhon, who tormented Atletico in Bruges, are poised to keep their places.

Form guide

Atletico’s recent results underline their unpredictability: two wins, one draw and two defeats in their last five outings. The sequence includes a sobering 1-0 home loss to Real Betis, a statement 4-0 Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg triumph over Barcelona, a 3-0 reverse at Rayo Vallecano, the pulsating 3-3 draw in Bruges and Saturday’s 4-2 fightback against Espanyol.

Brugge, by contrast, travel in confident mood. A 2-1 home victory over OH Leuven at the weekend – courtesy of second-half strikes from Bjorn Meijer and Tresoldi – extended their unbeaten run to four, a sequence that also features the 3-3 stalemate with Atletico, a 2-1 derby success at Cercle Brugge and a 3-0 rout of Standard Liège.

Probable line-ups

Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Molina, Pubill, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Koke, Llorente, Lookman; Sørloth, Álvarez

Club Brugge: Mignolet; Seys, Mechele, Ordóñez, Sabbe; Vanaken, Vetlesen, Stankovic; Diakhon, Tresoldi, Tzolis

Kick-off is at 21:00 CET. UK viewers can follow the action live on TNT Sports 3.