WHO: Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid
Contents: 16, first leg tie from UEFA Champions Lee Ground
When: Tuesday, March 4th, 9pm (20:00 GMT)
Location: Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain
Follow the Al Jazeera live photos and text commentary stream.
The Madrid Derby is in the position of the manager, with Atletico Madrid trying to ultimately acquire rival Real Madrid in the European tournament in the 16th round of the Champions Lee Ground.
Real, a 15-time European champion and current holder, Record has been Atletico’s thorn in the Champions League for many years, beating City rivals in the two finals.
However, the Atletico has played some of his best football since manager Diego Simeone took over more than a decade ago and showed confidence that he could meet his longtime rival head-on.
What is Real Madrid’s view on the game?
Real Madrid’s Star Vinicius Jr. said his team is facing early elimination from the Champions League if his team makes a mistake against Atletico Madrid in the final 16 tie.
Madrid lost 2-1 to Real Betis in Lariga on Saturday, and Vinicius said they could not repeat their weaker performance in Europe.
“In the final game, I think we lacked everything a bit… We made too many mistakes, we defended it badly, we made everything bad,” Winger said at a press conference on Monday.
“It’s better to have happened in the last game. You won’t make a mistake tomorrow, so these are knockout games where you make a mistake and go home, and you don’t want to go home early.
“We’re here to continue improving our game and perform well tomorrow.”
Real manager Carlo Ancelotti said he hopes that the slip-up against Betis will be a one-off issue before the derby.
“We lacked an attitude towards the game against Betis. We hope it was an isolated incident,” Ancelotti told reporters. “It’s a very uniform tie and it’s decided in the second round. It’s a tight game, [it will be] A fierce battle. ”
Ancelotti praised his opposing numbers and highlighted the strengths of Atletico coach Diego Simeone.
“What I like is how he reads the game, how he sets up the team, his strategy, the defensive grit that his players have – I like all of that,” Ancelotti said.
What is Atletico’s chance for Real Madrid?
Simeone has admitted that Atletico’s city rivals have a more illustrious history, but supporting his own team to go beyond their appetizing ties.
Atletico never won the Champions League and finished as a three-time runner up. Meanwhile, Madrid is considered the “king of Europe” and fellow rivals in Barcelona’s Lariga lifted the trophy five times.
“I always have Barcelona and Real Madrid for their history, so nothing has changed,” Simeone told reporters Monday. “Both have an incredible history and we are pure growth, which is a great thing.
“We have always had history and history in the situation, so Real Madrid’s history in the Champions League is extraordinary and there is a great opportunity tomorrow.”
Atletico is battling Spain’s Big Two for the Lariga title and currently ranks second, one point ahead of the Los Blancos.
Simeone’s side has yet to lose in games against Real or Barcelona this season. In the Spanish league, they defeated the Catalan club 2-1 in Barcelona, drawing 1-1 in both games.
“We see a game where we have a lot of respect for our great opponents. I think they respect us the same way,” the coach said. “All previous games have no impact at all, this is the Champions League.
“If we play against a team that wasn’t in the league, we wouldn’t be in that… For Madrid, I think it’s spectacular to see Atletico and Real Madrid facing off.”
How is the New-Look Champions League shaped?
This week, 16 rounds begin, bringing back the first season of the new Champions League format, featuring a league phase and playoff round.
The other final 16 matches include local rivalries between German club Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen, as well as Paris Saint-Germain and the Liverpool powerhouses.
Atletico finished fifth in the league phase, while Madrid was only 11th and had to play an additional playoff game against Manchester City.
Head-on
Atletico was eliminated in the 2017 semi-finals when he played Madrid in the Champions League. They also lost to Madrid in the 2014 and 2016 finals and in the 2015 quarter-finals.
Overall, Atletico only won three of his 10 meetings with Madrid at the UEFA tournament.
Atletico has not actually lost in their fourth straight game, eliminating their City rivals in the 16th round of Copa del Rey last season.
Real Madrid Team News
After bookings in the playoff round against Manchester City caused three yellow card suspension, the Real will have to deal with it in the first leg without England International Jude Bellingham.
Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal and Dani Ceballos remain long-term absentees, but Federico Valverde is expected to return despite missing out on a defeat by Betis.
Atletico Madrid Team News
Both Cesar Azpilicueta and Koke are set to remain on the sidelines with leg and thigh issues, respectively.
Otherwise, Atletico is the perfect strength of the first leg.
This week 🍿#ucl pic.twitter.com/lba1m5hyln
– UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 3, 2025
