Bayern Munich head to Atletico Madrid for Champions League group D match after three consecutive semi-final defeats against Spanish clubs in the Champions League.

The two giants of Europe have met only three times before. There are the makings of a fierce rivalry here. Atletico Madrid fighting for a new order. Bayern Munich ready to enforce the power of the existing.

Atletico Madrid: Looking For An Early Start

Diego Simeone will look to renew his ambition for another assault on the Champions League. Atletico knocked Bayern out of the competition last season on away goals in a thrilling two-legged tie.

Atletico have won their four games in all competitions. They have won 25 of their last 30 home European games making the Estadio Vicente Calderon a fortress.

Atletico are very intense, organised, compact and hard-working. Eleven players who leave it all out there on the pitch. They look better without the ball than in possession of it. Atletico will look to lure Bayern into playing into their hands before delivering a knockout counter attack. They are decisive in attack and solid in defence.

The arrivals of Nico Gaitán and Kevin Gameiro in attack have strengthened the squad. Los Rojiblancos’s defence will look to soak up pressure and when in possession, the attack will look to impose themselves in an attacking sense. They would want to set the tempo of the match in a style that suits them.

Midfield anchor Augusto Fernandez, who has been ruled out for seven months will be missed. Defender Jose Gimenez is also unavailable with a calf problem.

Bayern Munich: Out For Revenge

Ancelotti has won a joint-record three Champions League titles. He is well-known to Atletico and Simeone from his spell at Real Madrid. Vicente Calderon is a place that has tormented him. However, his 2014 triumph came at the cost of Atletico with local rivals Real Madrid.

Bayern thrashed Rostov 5-0 in their Champions League Group D opener. The Bavarians come into this fixture with an impressive domestic record this season, winning all their matches. 

Ancelotti will prefer a 4-3-3 formation. Full-backs David Alaba and Philipp Lahm will be a constant threat in attack. The formation will allow those two to overlap on the wings.

Bayern will be without Holger Badstuber and Douglas Costa through injury.

A tough tie to predict

Both the teams have started the Champions League well, winning their respective opening matches. It is difficult to predict who will come out on top in this match. But this head-to-head match is going to be their litmus test. A win for either team will give them immense confidence. The clash  will be an intense one at a noisy Vicente Calderón that celebrates its 50th anniversary this week.

The winner of the Atletico Madrid vs Bayern Munich is quite likely to finish on top of the group.

Picture Courtesy: BleacherReport, DailyMail, TheGaurdian