Why Bayern Munich will beat Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League
Bayern Munich travel to the Spanish capital for Matchday 4 of their UEFA Champions League campaign looking to regain momentum. After a bruising Klassiker weekend, Germany's record champions will be hoping to reset the mood with a strong European performance at Atlético Madrid. Here's why they will prevail at the Estadio Metropolitano, where they hope to return for this season's final...
Follow Atlético vs. Bayern here!
Point to prove after Klassiker frustration
It’s hardly a surprise that Bayern's 2-2 draw with bitter rivals Borussia Dortmund for Matchday 8’s instalment of Der Klassiker was a bitter pill for the Bavarians to swallow.
Joshua Kimmich aptly summarised the feeling in the Bayern camp after the game’s conclusion, saying: “Today’s game didn’t need to end like that. Especially when you see the game in the second half, I don’t think a draw is justified. But that’s sometimes the case in football […] At the end of the day, we need to take the point, even though we obviously should’ve won.”
Historically, however, Bayern rarely allow setbacks of this kind to weigh on them – such are the high standards are instilled at the club – so expect a reaction when Bayern face an opponent of Atlético’s calibre, that so often bring out the Bavarians' sharpest, most disciplined football.
Watch: Bayern 2-2 Dortmund - Klassiker highlights
Kane eager to impress after Ballon d’Or victory
The clash with Atlético marks the first Champions League encounter for Harry Kane since his Ballon d’Or triumph, so the Englishman will likely be determined to remind the world just why he deserved the award when he returns to Europe’s biggest stage.
After all, few players in world football are as reliable in the Champions League right now as Bayern’s No.9, who has scored in each of his last 10 appearances in the competition.
Should he manage to strike against Atlético, Kane would also draw level with Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of finding the net in 11 consecutive Champions League outings, and - as evidenced by his Ballon d’Or win – the Englishman has long shown a certain proclivity for writing history.
Watch: Ballon d'Or winner Kane honoured before Der Klassiker
History on their side
Bayern head into Matchday 4 sitting 14th in the league-phase standings. But do not let their position deceive you, as Bayern’s consistency at this stage of the competition borders on the astonishing.
Despite Atlético’s repute for being a strong, defensively-oriented side, goals are almost a surefire guarantee when these sides clash, given that Bayern have scored in each of their last 24 consecutive Champions League outings. What’s more, none of their last 66 away group or league-phase matches have ended goalless.
The pendulum of previous results also swings in Bayern’s favour. The Munich outfit have won four of the sides' eight prior encounters to Atleti's two (D2) and are unbeaten in their last three games against Los Rojiblancos (W2, D1).
Additionally, their opponents have not kept a clean sheet in their last 12 matches against German opposition, most recently struggling in a 1-1 draw away at Stuttgart last time out.
Kimmich back to marshal the midfield
Kimmich’s return to the squad after missing Bayern’s last three games on compassionate grounds brings leadership and a welcome stability back into the Bavarians’ midfield.
After all, it was without their No.6 that Bayern were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Arsenal in their most recent Champions League encounter.
Though his qualities on the ball, in the tackle, and as a tactical leader on the field are something of an open secret at this point, perhaps Kimmich’s importance to Bayern’s midfield is most reflected in the fact that an appearance against Atleti would see him draw level with the legendary Philipp Lahm for the all-time fifth‑most Champions League appearances by a German player (112).
Simply put: Bayern are a more controlled, more assertive and better outfit with Kimmich dictating play from the middle of the park.
Karl to step up?
With Ismaël Saibari and Serge Gnabry both sustaining injuries in Der Klassiker – joining Jamal Musiala and Luis Díaz on the sidelines – the door could be opened for 18-year-old Lennart Karl to step into the spotlight.
In a stunning breakout campaign in 2025/26, the starlet managed nine goals in 34 appearances across both Bundesliga and Champions League, with four of those coming in just eight outings on the continent.
So far this term, however, Karl has been limited to just five starts amidst stiff competition for places. Now, though, the youngster faces a potentially extended run in the team. And if his energy, fearlessness and ability on the ball can return to the heights of last season, there’s every reason to believe Karl’s fresh dynamism will run Atlético’s defenders ragged.
