The round of 16 of the Champions League was not benevolent with the two Madrid teams. Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid will face one of the toughest and most exciting qualifiers of this edition of the tournament.
With both teams in full fight for LaLiga and with outstanding performances in the Copa del Rey, the capital of Spain will be paralyzed to witness a duel that promises to be electrifying.
Positive history for Real Madrid
The team led by Carlo Ancelotti arrives at this confrontation with high morals, after eliminating Manchester City in the Champions League, to beat the Royal Society in Copa del Rey and keep the pulse in LaLiga with Barcelona and Atlético.
In addition, recent history in Europe is on its side: Real Madrid has eliminated Atlético in four previous clashes in the Champions League, three of which ended with the white team raising the orejona.
However, this season direct duels between both teams have ended in a draw, indicating that the tie will be more matched than ever.
Real Madrid keys for a good outlet in the first leg
The Santiago Bernabéu must be the great fort for meringues. With the second leg at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Real Madrid is obliged to achieve a favorable result that allows him to travel with advantage. To do this, Ancelotti will trust his offensive trident, composed of Vinícius Jr., Rodrygo and Mbappé, who arrive in a large state of form.
The casualties also play an important role. The absence of Jude Bellingham for accumulation of cards forces the Italian technician to rethink his center of the field. Camavinga could enter as a starter to reinforce the core, although Brahim Díaz is also an offensive option.
Dani Ceballos will also miss the game after being injured in a drink, which is a problem when giving rest to midfielders.
Real Madrid must impose its rhythm from the first minute, press up and prevent Atlético can get comfortably from its field. A triumph for one or two goals of difference would give them peace of mind for the return.
An Atlético de Madrid with thirst for revenge
For Atlético de Madrid, this tie is an opportunity for revenge. Simeone and his players remember the lost finals against Real Madrid and the eliminations suffered in previous editions. Now, with a reinforced team and a overturned hobby, they seek to hit the table and overcome the eternal rival in Europe.
The spectacular Cup match against Barcelona (4-4) showed that this Atlético has a lot to say this season. With a team that combines talent, intensity and a fearsome offensive, rojiblancos know they can harm Real Madrid.
Keys for Atlético to sentence in the Metropolitan
Simeone must take advantage of the absence of Bellingham and Ceballos to press aggressively in the core. Luka Modric will be the key to the Madrid game, and its marking will be essential to stop the rival progress.
The rojiblanca defense has shown irregularities this season, but in this type of matches it is vital to maintain solidity. A low -organized block and go out to the counterattack with Griezmann and Julián Álvarez can be the recipe to deactivate Real Madrid.
The Metropolitan has been a forty this campaign, with only one defeat throughout the season. Arriving with a good result to the second leg would be transcendental to dream of the pass to the quarterfinals.
When and where to see the Madrid Champions League derby
The first leg between Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid will be played on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 9:00 p.m. (Spanish peninsular time) at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. The live broadcast will be available in Movistar+, through the Movistar champions Movistar.
With two teams in great form, a history of exciting clashes and a tie that promises emotions to the limit, this duel is emerging as the great main course of the round of 16 of the Champions League. The European destination of both clubs is played in 180 minutes of pure tension and show.