Real Madrid Vs Atletico Madrid: Match Preview, Team News, Lineups and Live Stream
Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, two of the fiercest rivals in Spanish football, will clash in the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie at the Bernabeu on Tuesday, with fans expecting plenty of drama and intensity.
Watch|Stream Now: Real Madrid Vs Atletico Madrid
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Atletico, who finished in the top five of the league, have earned their spot in this stage, while Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid made it through after overcoming Manchester City in a tough playoff. Despite the tougher route, Real Madrid are still in the hunt for their 16th European title. A challenging tie against 2023 winners Manchester City awaited them in the playoffs as a result of not qualifying directly.
In an exciting two-legged battle, Ancelotti once again outsmarted Pep Guardiola, guiding his team to a thrilling 3-2 win at the Etihad before securing progression with a 3-1 second-leg victory, with Kylian Mbappé scoring a sensational hat-trick. With nine consecutive wins in Champions League knockout rounds, including their triumphant run to last season's final, Real Madrid are a formidable force. They’ll now face a Spanish side in the European Cup knockout rounds for the 12th time, having only been eliminated twice in their previous 11 encounters.
However, despite their European dominance, Real Madrid suffered a setback in La Liga over the weekend. Isco, a former Madrid player, led Real Betis to a surprise 2-1 win on Saturday, ending Real’s three-match winning streak and seven-game unbeaten run. Still, the reigning European champions can take comfort in their strong home form at the Bernabeu, where they’ve won eight and drawn one of their last nine matches—though it’s worth noting that it was Atletico who held them to that one draw.
Atletico Madrid, still searching for European redemption after losing in the 2014 and 2016 finals, took advantage of Real Madrid’s La Liga slip-up by defeating Athletic Bilbao. However, Diego Simeone’s side was fortunate, as they hit the woodwork three times in the second half. A crucial strike from Julian Alvarez sealed the win, and Simeone’s emotional reaction was a mix of relief and celebration. The victory temporarily lifted Atletico to the top of the La Liga table, pending Barcelona’s result.
While Atletico’s defensive record wasn’t their standout feature in the Champions League group stage, their attacking play earned them five straight wins and a respectable fifth-place finish. However, their away form in the knockout rounds has been less than stellar, with three consecutive losses this season—their worst run at this stage since 1971. On the other hand, Real Madrid boast a perfect 5-0 record in UCL knockout ties against their city rivals.
Historically, Real Madrid have ended Atletico’s European dreams in the 1958-59, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16, and 2016-17 campaigns. But in recent meetings, Atletico have had the upper hand, with Real winning just once in their last seven encounters. Their most recent matchup in February ended in a tense 1-1 draw, marking the third consecutive match between the two sides to end with the same scoreline.
Real Madrid will be without Jude Bellingham for Tuesday’s first leg due to a suspension after he picked up his third yellow card in the competition during their win over Manchester City. As a result, Ancelotti might turn to the versatile Uruguayan player to replace Lucas Vazquez at right-back, alongside other potential defensive changes. Raul Asencio could also return to the starting lineup in place of David Alaba, who has struggled with injuries.
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