The European royalty has returned to the Champions league, The Madrid Derby is finally here after 8 years and a cracker of a game is guaranteed. The time will stop at the Santiago Bernabeu where these two city rivals will battle till the death.
Atletico Madrid who have never beaten Real Madrid in the European tournaments except in 1958/59, are ready to take the absolute revenge. Simeone’s men have looked dangerous this season in La Liga and have also done well in Europe.
Real Madrid is inevitable in the Champions League, the most synonymous team in the tournament, Los Blancos run the league like their own. Comebacks and winning has become a habit at the club and who better than Atletico can be a witness.
The City rivals would still be seething in the pain of the 2013-14 final of the Champions League where Real Madrid won against them 4-1 in extra time after equalising at the stoppage time.
Current form
Real Madrid have had a bittersweet season with speed bumps along the road. Kylian Mbappe’s inclusion to an Champions League winning team looks like a nightmare for the other teams but in reality has been far from it.
This season has been full of adjustments and bringing the right balance in the team. In Europe as well they had to struggle against Manchester City through the knockouts for play-offs to get a place in the final 16.
Round of 16 Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid 1st leg
Both the Madrid derbies in the La Liga have produced draws but the beauty of the Champions League knockouts is that there will be a result and a winner with one team advancing to the quarter finals of the Champions League.
This match will be a stern test for Los Blancos forward line as Atletico are the best team in the world defensively and will knit a fortress around the goal.
Vini Jr. of late has struggled in front of the goal as he has only scored 3 goals in 2025.
Kylian Mbappe will be the key to break the atletico defence alongside Jude Bellingham who will be making second runs into the box.
Real would be looking to play their midfielders through the lines as that would be pivotal to split the Atletico defence.
Atletico Madrid on the other hand will sit back comfortably, and will only attack in phases when needed. In the last Copa Del Rey match, they produced a 8 goal banger of a match as they were lethal in counters and had phases in which they were supposed to attack highlighting Simeone’s brilliant tactics.
Similar gameplay is expected out of Simeone’s warriors who are known for their tenacity and work-rate.
Injury Woes
Atletico would also target the Los Blancos defence as many injuries have made the squad depleted and recent results have put a question mark on the defence line’s availability for the match.
In the most recent La Liga match, Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba, both were strapped up and visibly were not comfortable on the ball. Alaba was substituted in the half-time raising questions on his match fitness and health.
Rudiger has been the mainstay at the centre-back position but has some sustained injuries which he is carrying from the previous matches.
This will be a battle for Ancelotti’s men as they would have to gain a healthy lead at their home before going to Wanda Metropolitano for the 2nd leg.
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