In Prague in search of a third Champions League victory

Atlético de Madrid will be looking to build on their 2-1 win in Paris last time out, secured by goals from Molina and Correa. The Rojiblancos enter Matchday 5 in 23rd place in the League Phase table, just inside the play-off places. However, they will need another win to keep moving up the ranks in the new format of Europe’s premier club competition.

It is the first time that Sparta Praha and Atlético de Madrid meet in European football. However, the Czech team has previously faced Spanish competition in both the Champions League and Europa League and is now hosting the first meeting between the two teams at Stadion Letná in Prague.

Last out in the Champions League, Sparta fell to a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of the surprise package Stade Brestois. After a big 3-0 win over Salzburg on matchday one, the Czech giants drew with VfB Stuttgart in Germany (1-1) before a resounding 5-0 defeat away to Manchester City.

The Rojiblancos lost after beating RB Leipzig 2-1 at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on matchday one against Benfica in Lisbon (4-0) and then at home against LOSC Lille (3-1). However, the 2-1 win against PSG in Paris will certainly have given the team renewed confidence. Diego Pablo Simeone will have Giménez available in Prague after the Uruguayan missed the trip to France due to suspension for accumulating too many yellow cards.