A big match is set to happen in the Spanish capital on Tuesday night as Atletico Madrid host Bayer Leverkusen at the Estadio Metropolitano in the second-to-last match of the Champions League group stage.
Going into this match, the Bundesliga champions have earned 13 points from six matches, with four wins and one draw, placing them in fourth position.
In a crowded standings table, Atleti are just one point behind Xabi Alonso's visiting team, who are in seventh place.
A win here for either team would be a significant boost in their quest to secure a spot in the top eight and advance directly to the round of 16.
Team news
At home, coach Diego Simeone was missing forward Alexander Sorloth in the weekend defeat against Leganes, with the Norwegian previously scoring two goals in a 4-0 Copa del Rey victory over Elche.
Defender Jose Maria Gimenez has been absent since the La Liga win against Barcelona before Christmas, missing four games.
Leverkusen's talented forward Victor Boniface has been sidelined since November due to a thigh issue, while Jeanuel Belocian, Matija Marsenic (both with cruciate ligament injuries), and Amine Adli (broken fibula) are also unavailable for the German champions.
The stats
These teams have faced each other 10 times before, with three wins each and four draws.
Leverkusen have never defeated Atletico on Spanish ground but have managed to draw in three out of the four previous encounters.
The last meeting between the sides was in the 2022/23 Champions League, where Leverkusen won 2-0 at home before a 2-2 draw in Madrid.
Since 2019, Atletico has lost five out of nine games against German teams.
Leverkusen has suffered nine losses in their last 15 away matches against Spanish clubs.
Except for a 4-0 defeat against Liverpool, Leverkusen has only conceded one goal in five Champions League games.
Prediction
Atletico's 15-game winning streak, a club record, came to an end in a LaLiga defeat against Leganes, where Antoine Griezmann missed a late penalty.
Meanwhile, Leverkusen comfortably defeated Borussia Monchengladbach 3-1 on Saturday, conceding only in the 91st minute as Florian Wirtz impressed.
The 21-year-old Wirtz has been in great form with four goals and five assists in his recent games, including a brace in the last match and five Champions League goals already in six games, which could be crucial for Leverkusen's chances.
Atletico has conceded 10 goals in six Champions League games, a surprising rate that could make them vulnerable against Leverkusen, who have conceded just one goal in five matches, excluding the loss to Liverpool.
Leverkusen scored twice in both legs against Atletico in the previous season, and a similar performance could secure a valuable away victory this time.