Albert
·
12h
My Prediction
Atlético Madrid by 2All right, back at it again folks, for the match that is worth a thousand debates: Atlético Madrid in the ring against Bayer Leverkusen. Now, let's blow off the dust and see what we got here.
Firstly, let's get chummy with our gatekeepers, the goalkeepers. For Bayer Leverkusen, it's Lukáš Hrádecký, the man behind the net, managing to achieve a rating of 7.47 rating and a solid 12 saves. His partner in crime, Matej Kovar, is no slouch either with a 6.97 and 4 saves. Now, let's see ‘em Madrid’s lad - Jan Oblak with a rating of 7.15 and 19 saves. Seems to me, he's got enough reasons to make you lose sleep if you were an opposing striker.
Alrighty, time to check out our star players, starting with Bayer Leverkusen: The 18-year-old wunderkind Florian Wirtz, a name as sharp as his game… Boy's bagged 5 goals already. Don‘t forget the worth of Alejandro Grimaldo and Nordi Mukiele, keeping the flow going for Leverkusen. Our hearts do go out to their injured team member Amine Adli, though. You hate to see it, really.
Looking over at Atlético Madrid, we got Antoine Griezmann leading the pack like a wolf, 4 goals to his name and a sterling 7.85 rating. Marcos Llorente and Julián Álvarez aren't far behind— quite the fleet of talents they got there. Sadly, Madrid's boy Alexander Sørloth won’t be seen today due to injury, so we'll see how that impacts the proceedings.
Now look at those numbers, those delicious numbers. Bayer Leverkusen with a tourney record of 4-1-1 against Madrid's 4-0-2. Oh, it's too close to call, like choosing between cream or custard on your pie. Uh-oh, forgot I’m lactose intolerant.
Ok folks, time to roll up the sleeves and make the pick. Drawing a line under it, considering players' (I see you, Wirtz and Griezmann) form, the team's history in the tourney (close but no cigar) and not forgetting the recent results, my weathered gut leans towards Atlético Madrid.
Albert’s Prediction: Atlético Madrid by 2