Despite recent rumours that Simeone could be on his way out of Atletico, the board have shown their ambition with several big-money signings this summer and that has translated into points on the pitch.

Atletico sit in the top four with 11 points from their opening five games, having survived a tricky start to the season that saw them face Athletic Bilbao, Villarreal and Girona.

The hosts also bring excellent continental form to this encounter, being the only club in last season's Champions League to maintain a 100% record on their own patch - five wins from five.

Facing another German side gives them the chance to add to their excellent home record against teams from the country, as they are unbeaten against Bundesliga clubs this century - eight wins and four draws - and face Bayer Leverkusen later in the league.

Atletico will be hoping that the competition's new format can improve their fortunes after a string of recent disappointments, having failed to progress beyond the quarter-finals since their miraculous run between 2014 and 2017, when they reached two finals and a semi-final.

Future opponents RB Leipzig inflicted one of those defeats on the Colchoneros, beating Atleti 2-1 in a one-legged COVID-era quarter-final in neutral Lisbon in 2020.

It remains Leipzig's best performance in the competition, with their other five appearances ending either in the group stage or the last 16.

Marco Rose's men will face a tough test in the new campaign, with first-ever meetings with Italian giants Juventus and Inter Milan, as well as a visit from Liverpool at the Red Bull Arena.

Also on the agenda are Portuguese champions Sporting Lisbon and Premier League giants Aston Villa.

Leipzig, though, will believe they can hold their own after an unbeaten start to the season, which included a heroic comeback win over Bayer Leverkusen to become the first club to beat the German champions on home soil in nearly 18 months.

The international break came at the wrong time for Leipzig, who struggled to build on the momentum of coming from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at the BayArena and were held 0-0 at home by Union Berlin on their return to action at the weekend.

RB have dropped to third in the table as a result, but having won their opening two games and progressed to the next round of the DFB-Pokal, it has been a largely positive start for coach Rose.

Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:

Oblak; Le Normand, Gimenez, Azpilicueta; Marcos Llorente, De Paul, Koke, Gallagher, Lino; Alvarez, Griezmann

RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:

Gulacsi; Geertruida, Orban, Lukeba; Henrichs, Haidara, Kampl, Raum; Sesko, Simons, Openda

Prediction:Atletico Madrid 3-1 RB Leipzig

Atletico Madrid VS RB Leipzig stream and TV listing

International：Holasports