Our next opponents: Atlético Madrid

With Roger Schmidt looking on from the stands, Atlético Madrid's home match against Celtic Vigo saw the hosts turn round a 2-1 deficit in the final four minutes with two great goals from Carrasco and Griezmann securing a 3-2 win – and coach Diego Simeone was unable to contain his excitement on the touchline. This Saturday's game witnessed Atlético once again winning out in the final stages going from 1-1 to a 4-1 victory in Gijon. Substitute Kevin Gameiro scored a hat-trick within five minutes (80', 82', 85'). Read on for the lowdown on our next opponents.

Position

Atlético Madrid qualified for the Round of 16 in the Champions League as expected. However, the fact they finished top of the group ahead of FC Bayern with five wins on the bounce and a game to play was somewhat of a surprise. That demonstrates the Rojiblancos, Champions League finalists in 2014 and 2016, are capable of anything on the European stage. The Madrid club were sixth in the Primera Division at the winter break but five wins and two draws in the first seven fixtures in 2017 has taken them up to fourth place, four points behind third-placed FC Sevilla.

Personnel

The squad is, to a great extent, experienced and full of quality and many of the Atletico players are familiar to the Werkself from the Round of 16 tie two years ago: goalkeepers Oblak and Moya, Juanfran, Giminez, Godin, Gabi, Saul Niguez, Koke, Torres, Griezmann. The last two years has seen new players arrive in all areas of the team. In defence, the Brazilian left back Felipe Luis arrived from Chelsea and Stefan Savic from Fiorentina, the talented Belgian number ten Yannick Carrasco joined from AS Monaco, and the front line was strengthened with the addition of the Argentinian Nicolas Gaitan (from Benfica) and the Frenchman Kevin Gameiro (from FC Sevilla).

Potential

Any club qualifying for the Champions League final twice in the last three years, losing to opponents like Barcelona or Bayern, is capable of going all the way. Atlético had one hand on the trophy both times with a goal from Ramos in the last minute taking the match in 2014 to extra time with Real Madrid winning out on penalties. With Diego Simeone at the helm, the Rojiblancos were Spanish champions (2014), domestic cup winners (2013) and Europa League winners (2012). Now everything is aimed at winning Europe's premier club competition. "Everybody here at Atlético dreams of winning the Champions League," said experienced defender Diego Godin. And they are having another go at it this season.

Problems

This season has not been plain sailing for Atletico even with everything going to plan in Europe from the start. The Madrid team, focused on battling and mental strength, were ordered by Simeone to adopt a less exhaustive style based on possession and intricate passing. That made sense economically and brought in an attractive brand of football but the established effectiveness in the league was not always evident. At the start of the new year the decision was made to go back to the former approach. "The people like it when we play attractive football but they like it even more when we win. From now on, all that counts is winning," said the captain Gabi (33), one of Atletico's most experienced players alongside Godin (31), Juanfran (32), Felipe Luis (31) and Torres (32). The outstanding French forward Antoine Griezmann went an incredible 837 minutes without scoring in the league. Now he has rediscovered his reliability in front of goal

Prediction

Atlético are undoubtedly the favourites against Bayer 04 in the Round of 16. The team is solid, capable of proving uncomfortable for any opponent and ready to compete at the highest level. "Atletico are have improved since we last met two years ago and belong in every respect to the top teams in Europe," said Stefan Kießling full of respect for the opposition. On the other hand, the Werkself have qualified for the last 16 undefeated for the first time and certainly in with a chance. The second leg on 15 March at the cauldron of the Estadio Vicente Calderón will definitely present Leverkusen with a special challenge in terms of holding their nerve and resisting stress.