Atletico Madrid vs Bayern Munich Preview: Two heavyweights collide in an early battle to take control of Group D

On Wednesday evening, matchday two in Group D of the UEFA Champions League gets underway, with a heavyweight clash, as Atletico Madrid host Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich at the Vicente Calderón with both teams looking to make it two wins from two.

Both sides still unbeaten

Diego Simeone will be hoping that this year's Champions League campaign will be third time lucky for his side. They finished as runners-up for the second time in three years last season when they lost to local rivals Real Madrid in the final on penalties.

Los Rojiblancos made a solid start in their opening game in the group when they won a difficult game away to PSV Eindhoven 1-0, with the winner being scored by Saul Niguez.

The hosts have also made an unbeaten start to the season in La Liga but only sit third in the table after drawing three of their opening six games. Under Simeone, though they are a team to be feared and they will know that at home not many teams beat them as they have won 13 of their last 17 so therefore they will be confident of getting a result against Carlo Ancelotti's side.

On the other hand, it has been a simply sensational start to the season for Ancelotti's side. The Italian, who took over in the summer from Pep Guardiola, has overseen a perfect start to the season for Bayern.

They started the group with a 5-0 thrashing of FC Rostov at the Allianz Arena. In the Bundesliga, they also sit top of the table after winning all five of their games so far. One of the most impressive stats though is that in all competitions they have only conceded one goal which is something that should send shivers down any team that they face.

Bayern out for revenge

The two teams met in last season's competition, with Simeone's team knocking Bayern out on away goals. They won the first game at home 1-0 with Saul scoring a spectacular winner.

In the second leg, Bayern won the game 2-1 but it wasn't enough as they conceded the crucial away goal. Xabi Alonso opened the scoring for Bayern before Antoine Griezmann scored the equaliser. Robert Lewandowski scored Bayern's second before the end but it wasn't enough.

The Atletico Madrid players celebrate knocking Bayern out in the semi-finals last season | Photo: Lukas Barth / Getty Images

Team News

In terms of injuries ahead of the game, Simeone is set to be without a few key players. Goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya remains on the sidelines due to injury while centre-back Jose Gimenez will miss the game with a groin injury which he picked up at the weekend.

Augusto Fernández is out the game after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury to his knee at the weekend. Tiago and Alessio Cerci also remain on the sidelines.

On the other hand, Ancelotti will could be without two players for the game. Centre-back Holger Badstuber is still out with a long-term injury while Douglas Costa suffered a recent injury and is likely to miss the game.