UEFA Champions League 2019/20: Bayer Leverkusen vs Atletico Madrid – tactical analysis

Bayer Leverkusen hosted Atletico Madrid for matchday four of the UEFA Champions League. Peter Boszs Leverkusen were hoping to gain their first points of the group stage, while Diego Simeone’s Atlético were aiming to surmount Juventus at the top of the group. Leverkusen finished the game as 2-1 winners over the visitors, taking the lead via an own goal before extending it soon after. Atlético replied late on but there was not enough time for them to score an equaliser.

This tactical analysis will investigate how Leverkusen were able to beat the team from Madrid via an analysis of multiple match elements. The analysis will include information on tactics with offensive, defensive and transitional components of play from each team as well as other key match events.

Line-Ups

Within the match, Leverkusen lined up with a 4-4-1-1, while Atlético Madrid operated using a 4-4-2 diamond. João Félix was the main absentee for Atlético going forward, as their record signing is currently sidelined with an ankle injury. In a defensive sense, Atlético were also missing their two first-choice centre-backs in Stefan Savić and José Giménez. For Leverkusen, Lars Bender was the most notable absentee in an otherwise fully fit squad.

Average Formations

Despite the initial starting formations being those previously discussed, adaptations to the formation and playing personnel did occur throughout the clash. For Leverkusen, they stuck with their main shape which was clearly working during the match, given they were 2-0 up after 55 minutes, with Atlético only replying late in the 94^th minute. However, Leverkusen did lose Nadiem Amiri to a straight red card in the 84^th minute, causing them to lose their number ‘10’ creator and instead just operate with two banks of four behind the striker, Kevin Volland.

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