Champions League Tuesday: Man United fight for season at Atletico Madrid
Web StoryWatch this story in 15 seconds →Key takeaways
- Atletico Madrid host Manchester United in Champions League Matchday 2 on Tuesday, October 13, with kickoff at 9pm local time in Madrid.
- Atletico are second in La Liga after a 2-1 derby win over Real Madrid, while United are 12th in the Premier League with one win from six.
- United thrashed Sabah 4-0 in their European opener, but Atletico lost 2-1 at Liverpool and sit 25th in the 36-team league phase.
The Champions League returns on Tuesday, October 13, with Matchday 2 of the league phase. Atletico Madrid host Manchester United in Madrid at 9pm local time.
What happened
Atletico Madrid walk into Tuesday night in fine domestic form. They sit second in La Liga, five points behind leaders Barcelona.
They have won six, drawn one and lost one of eight league games. A feisty 2-1 derby win over Real Madrid stands out.
They followed that derby with a 2-1 win at Alaves. Cristian Romero scored the winner in added time.
Their European start was worse, a 2-1 loss at Liverpool on Matchday 1. They sit 25th in the 36-team league phase.
Manchester United travel to Madrid with the opposite mood. They sit 12th in the Premier League with six points from six games.
They have won once, drawn three and lost twice. They lost 1-0 to Manchester City in the derby.
Last weekend they drew 1-1 with Tottenham at Old Trafford. Bryan Mbeumo scored in the 73rd minute for United.
Dominic Solanke equalised in stoppage time for Spurs. Fans booed at full time at Old Trafford.
United also exited the Carabao Cup against Brighton. It is one of their worst league starts in years.
United's European form is much better. They thrashed Sabah 4-0 in their opener on September 10.
Paris Saint-Germain started with a 6-1 win over Slovan Bratislava. Barcelona beat Feyenoord 5-1 on Matchday 1.
That result keeps them fourth in the league phase. They need to carry it into Tuesday.
Why it matters
This is the fifth meeting of the two clubs. United have never beaten Atletico: two wins for Atletico, two draws.
Atletico knocked United out of the 2021-22 Champions League. They won 1-0 at Old Trafford after a 1-1 draw in Madrid.
Alex Baena has four goals and two assists for Atletico this season. Jonathan David has three goals and two assists.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is United's top scorer with four goals and one assist. Bryan Mbeumo has three goals and one assist.
An Opta model makes Atletico 48.5% favourites, United 27.2% and a draw 24.3%. Home form backs that: Atletico are unbeaten in the four meetings.
The format adds pressure on both teams. The top eight of 36 go straight to the last 16.
The next 16 teams enter a playoff round. The bottom 12 go home.
This season runs from September 8, 2026 to January 27, 2027. All 36 teams play in a single league table.
Manager Michael Carrick urged calm before the trip. "We've got to stay positive and keep doing the right things."
Diego Simeone expects a grind in Madrid. He said his side must manage their efforts to compete well.
Team news favours Atletico. They have a fully fit squad, with Grimaldo and Alexander Sorloth back from injury.
United could miss five players through injury. Dorgu, Sesko, Heaton, Ugarte and De Ligt are all out.
Predicted lineups name Baena and Julian Alvarez in Atletico's attack. United's predicted team includes Fernandes, Mbeumo and Marcus Rashford.
Summer signing Carlos Baleba made his United debut against Spurs. He joined from Brighton for 70 million pounds.
What happens next
Matchday 2 continues on Wednesday, October 14. Manchester City face Paris Saint-Germain in the headline game.
The Tuesday card also includes Arsenal vs Lille. Galatasaray face Barcelona and Inter meet Club Brugge.
United face Como on October 21 in Matchday 3. Atletico travel to Stuttgart on October 20.
In the United States, the games stream on Paramount+, with some on CBS Sports Network. Fans in Spain can watch on Movistar+.
Fans of high-scoring football can also read about Pumas vs Cruz Azul. The Liga MX clash ended 3-3 this weekend.
Pachuca vs Necaxa was another 3-3 thriller in Mexico. In the NFL, the 49ers edged the Seahawks 32-29.
A win in Madrid would change the story for Carrick's United. A defeat would raise the pressure again, with the top-eight race getting tighter.
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