Atletico Madrid need to prove they've healed wounds opened by Borussia Dortmund

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  • From the ruins of a joint-heaviest European defeat, Atletico Madrid must rouse themselves on Tuesday when red-hot Borussia Dortmund visit Wanda Metropolitano.

    Progression from Group A in the Champions League still appears assured for Los Rojiblancos, despite the indignity of a 4-0 thrashing at Westfalenstadion. The challenge, however, for head coach Diego Simeone is to instil belief after a curious start to 2018/19.

    Opponents Dortmund inflicted a humbling reversal on them a fortnight ago and Lucien Favre’s Bundesliga leaders will be determined to gain another landmark result. Anything is possible if they achieve that.

    TALKING POINT

    Moving in opposite directions?

    Simeone’s Atleti are not meant to be treated with such disdain.

    Europe’s warriors went out with a whimper in Germany. A first four-goal loss of Cholo’s transformational, 391-game reign was incurred – alarmingly, there could be no complaints about the cavernous winning margin.

    Dortmund come in to the return meeting with both a 15-match unbeaten run and control of the German top flight. Only the distraction of the weekend’s grudge match with Bayern Munich will unsettle Favre.

    Atleti were uninspired in a 1-1 derby draw at Leganes. A win would have put them top of La Liga, but, illuminatingly, their haul of 20 points after 11 matches is the lowest of Simeone’s spell.

    The indefatigable spirit that inspired 2014 and 2016’s marches to defeat in the UCL final appears diminished. Old war horses such as Diego Costa and Diego Godin – both fitness doubts – are ailing.

    A response is required from the hosts to derail BVB’s momentum and reinforce their standing. Whether it comes, is another matter all together.

    KEY BATTLE

    Griezmann v Akanji

    The positive signs keep coming for BVB.

    Emerging Switzerland centre-back Daniel Akanji returned from injury at the weekend and a hard-fought clean sheet was earned at Wolfsburg – some improvement from the late collapse to draw versus Hertha Berlin that preceded it. His reintroduction will bolster a backline that is still expected to be without Marcel Schmelzer and Abdou Diallo.

    A feeling that France superstar Antoine Griezmann is carrying Atleti’s hopes has grown.

    The forward’s stunning free-kick in Saturday’s derby at Leganes was not enough to earn all three points.

    With partner Costa struggling for both full fitness and goals, he’ll need to conjure more inspirational moments in midweek.

    WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY

    Diego Simeone: “We trust in all the players we have.

    “They know it and they have to be ready to play.”

    Lucien Favre: “Almost everyone can improve, and even as a team, we can get better, technically and tactically.”

    “There is still much to do. We’re focusing on the next game – and that’s Atletico Madrid…”

    WHAT WE THINK

    Distractions are ample for BVB, but Favre’s men appear in such a groove that they’ll ransack the Wanda.

    If they can impose their own tempo on Atleti, another impressive victory will follow.

    Simeone’s men, however, are in more need of a result. They’ve only lost once in 19 European matches in their new home and will be determined to maintain this run.

    Fitness problems for Koke, Costa, Godin and Jose Gimenez will hamper them against ceaseless opponents, who chased them off the park last time.

    Atletico Madrid 0-2 Borussia Dortmund

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