Atlético de Madrid will face a very difficult match this Thursday against Leipzig in their debut in the new Champions League. The red-and-white team hosts the German team, which they previously faced off in the quarterfinals in 2020. On that occasion, the colchoneros would end up losing 1-2 in a Champions League taking place in the middle of the pandemic.
This week, Atlético de Madrid will host a Leipzig team whose forward line is being led by an old dream of the sporting management and compatriot of Jan Oblak. It is Benjamin Sesko , who faces his second season in Germany and where he hopes to continue improving his records. The footballer was on the list of candidates to reinforce the attack , but he ended up opting for the Bundesliga.
Benjamin Sesko, a young promise from the past
For years, there have been many big European prospects who have been linked with Atlético de Madrid for a possible signing. One of them was Benjamin Sesko , who was being watched by the red-and-white team while he was playing for Salzburg . At that time, he was taking his first steps in elite football and was one of the great revelations of the continent.
However, he would remain linked to the Red Bull company, signing in 2023 for Leipzig for just over 20 million euros. Right now, at just 21 years of age, he has a market value of 50 million and is an undisputed starter in the German team. In addition, together with Jan Oblak , he was one of the great protagonists in the last European Championship , being important for Slovenia.
Last season, he played more than 30 official matches and scored almost 20 goals , in his first season in Leipzig's shirt. This season, he has started every Bundesliga match and scored his first goal in the German Cup. On Thursday, he will step onto the pitch at the Metropolitano with the aim of beating his compatriot and making it clear to Atlético de Madrid that they should have signed him.
A Jan Oblak in a state of grace
The truth is that the Slovenian goalkeeper is going through a good moment between the three posts, keeping a clean sheet in the last four games. Last Sunday, in Valencia 's victory, he reached 450 matches with Atlético de Madrid , a figure that already places him in the history of the club. In addition, he has been able to keep a clean sheet in more than 200 matches , very close to entering the podium of the Spanish championship.
Now, he wants to return to showing the great level that was seen in him in decisive duels during last season, as he did in the victory against Inter Milan . In that match, he was chosen as the best player of the match, especially thanks to his great performance in the penalty shootout. On Thursday, he wants to get off to a good start in this new format and hopes to achieve, as soon as possible, qualification for the next round.