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Atlético Madrid have been paired with RasenBallsport Leipzig in next month’s Champions League quarterfinals.
¡Ya tenemos rival para los cuartos de final de la @LigaDeCampeones!
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) July 10, 2020
@RBLeipzig_EN
#UCLDraw | ⚪ #AúpaAtleti pic.twitter.com/1IC1D0AVUQ
The UEFA Champions League draw is complete!
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) July 10, 2020
Who will lift the trophy next month? #UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/h7hYwKWw2K
UEFA has decided to host a single-elimination “mini-tournament” in Lisbon next month to conclude the Champions League, with Portugal’s capital hosting seven single-elimination contests for eight teams. All games will take place between Aug. 12 and Aug. 23, and the final will be held at Estadio da Luz — where Atlético lost the 2014 Champions League final.
This season, though, Atleti will face a rival on the rise in a one-off match. Leipzig were founded in 2009 and shot up the German football pyramid with Red Bull’s backing, reaching the top flight in 2016. Julian Nagelsmann’s explosive young team finished third in this recently-completed Bundesliga campaign, but it lost star striker Timo Werner immediately upon season’s end — the 24-year-old joined Chelsea on July 1.
Nagelsmann and Diego Simeone have never before matched wits, though the former has expressed great admiration for the latter. The coaches will have a while to prepare for one another — Leipzig’s season ended June 27, and Atlético’s will end July 19. Los Colchoneros have already faced Bundesliga opposition in this season’s Champions League, splitting two group stage encounters with Bayer Leverkusen. In addition, Atlético have won eight straight knockout ties against German clubs.
UEFA went on to confirm that the winner of this tie will face the winner of Atalanta and Paris Saint-Germain’s quarterfinal. Neither date nor location has been announced as yet for either matchup.
Update Atlético have confirmed this quarterfinal’s date, time and location.