The Santiago Bernabéu dresses in the gala to host one of the most anticipated meetings of the season: the Madrid derby in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League. Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid will face a duel that promises to be vibrant and maximum tension, with both teams seeking to give the first blow to a tie that will define who advances to the quarterfinals.
Favoritism and European background
Both teams arrive at this tie after a raffle that did not smile at all. Probably, this is the most difficult crossing of the round of 16 of this edition. Real Madrid, however, has a psychological advantage: has eliminated Atlético on the four occasions in which they have been found in the Champions League. In addition, in three of those editions, the whites ended up lifting the trophy.
Carlo Ancelotti team comes from weeks of good performance, after eliminating Manchester City, winning in the Copa del Rey against Real Sociedad and staying in the fight for LaLiga. Despite not having achieved victory in the two League meetings against Atlético this season, Madrid trusts its strength in European qualifiers.
Real Madrid keys for the first leg
The white team will have to deal with important casualties. The most significant is that of Jude Bellingham, who meets card cycle. Ancelotti will have to decide whether to bet on Brahim Díaz in attack or reinforce the center of the field with Camavinga. In addition, Dani Ceballos will not be available after injuring the Copa del Rey.
Madrid must take advantage of the Bernabéu factor. Drawing an advantage of one or two goals before the return in the Metropolitan will be key to facing with guarantees the second assault. To do this, his offensive trident, formed by Vinícius, Rodrygo and possibly Brahim, will have to show his best version.
An athletic with pending accounts
Atlético de Madrid faces this tie with a strong revenge desire. Simeone remembers the two lost finals against Madrid and the elimination prior to his eternal rival in this competition. However, the rojiblancos arrive with confidence after their spectacular 4-4 draw against Barcelona in Cup and their good dynamics in LaLiga.
The Argentine coach knows that his team must repeat the Montjuic approach: a high pressure that bothers the departure of the ball of Madrid. The absence of Bellingham and Ceballos makes the prominence in the midfield falls to Luka Modric, a player that Atlético must neutralize if he wants to control the rhythm of the game.
The Metropolitan has been a fort this season, with only one defeat (before the Lille in the group stage). If Atlético gets a good result in the first leg, you will have a great opportunity to close the tie at home.
The probable alignments
Real Madrid:
Lunin; Lucas Vázquez, Asencio, Rüdiger, Mendy; Camavinga, Tchouaméni, Modric; Vinícius, Rodrygo, Brahim.
Atlético de Madrid:
Oblak; Nahuel Molina, Savic, Beautiful, Reinildo; Llorente, from Paul, Koke, Lino; Griezmann, Julián Álvarez.
Message from captains and the call to sportsmanship
In the previous meeting, Luka Modric and Koke have participated in a National Police campaign in which they ask both hobbies to live the party with passion but from respect. These types of meetings always generate a great rivalry, but both captains have remembered the importance of enjoying football without violence or extra -sports controversies.
When and where to see the game?
The match will be played on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 9:00 p.m. at Santiago Bernabéu and can be continued on television through Movistar+ Champions League.
Madrid, slightly favorite according to statistics
According to the latest estimates of OPTA, Real Madrid starts with a slight advantage in the tie, with a 57.6% chance of moving to the quarterfinals compared to 42.4% of Atlético. However, beyond numbers, the Madrid derby in Europe is always unpredictable.
Both teams are prepared for a battle that promises to be unforgettable. Who will first hit this high flight tie?