Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid: Preview, Prediction & Lineups

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Atletico Madrid must win and defeat Real Madrid to get to Champions League quarter-finals.

Having won the first leg 2-1, UEFA Champions League holders Real Madrid just need not to lose against Atletico Madrid at Estadio Metropolitano to reach the quarter-finals.

The home team have been great for most of the season but things have not been going well for them lately. After losing the first leg, Atletico Madrid lost 2-1 to Getafe in La Liga and went down to 3rd in the table again.

Despite having more ball possession, Los Rojiblancos couldn’t create too many chances. They need to do much better against Los Blancos if they want to stay in the UEFA Champions League.

Meanwhile, the visitors have not been as consistent as expected but still manage to get the job done most of the times. After winning the first leg, they won against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.

While Merengues don’t have a good record at Metropolitano, having won the first leg, they will be confident of getting the job done. But it won’t be easy, Atletico Madrid will have their chances. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they will deploy.

Team News & Tactics

Atletico Madrid

Cesar Azpilicueta is back in the Atletico Madrid squad after the last game so Koke is the only first team player who will miss this game against Real Madrid on Wednesday.

Diego Simeone will stick to 4-4-2 and won’t make many changes to the team that started against Getafe.

Jan Oblak will be in goal for Atletico Madrid, Nahuel Molina and Javi Galan will be the full-backs. In the midfield, Jose Gimenez will start alongside Robin Le Normand. The back four will look for a clean sheet as it can help them to bounce back in this tie.Giuliano Simeone and Samuel Lino will play wide in midfield. They will look to contribute in both boxes. Marcos Llorente and Rodrigo De Paul will play more central, to control the tempo. Julian Alvarez will partner Antoine Griezmann upfront.

4-4-2: Oblak; Molina, Gimenez, Le Normand, Javi Galan; Simeone, Marcos Llorente, De Paul, Lino; Alvarez, Griezmann

Real Madrid

Ancelotti will have Jude Bellingham back from suspension, and Antonio Rudiger and Thibaut Courtois will start after being rested. But Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, and Dani Ceballos are out.

Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Courtois; Valverde, Rudiger, Asencio, Mendy; Rodrygo, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Bellingham; Mbappe, Vinicius Junior.

Key Stats

Atletico Madrid has only lost 1 of their last 7 home games against Real Madrid.
Atletico has turned around a first-leg deficit 3 times in 6 previous Champions League knockout ties when playing the second leg at home.
Real Madrid has never won away in Europe against Atletico.
Real Madrid has gone through 21 of the last 22 Champions League knockout ties when winning the first leg.

Player to Watch:

Jude Bellingham

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Jude Bellingham’s return is a big plus for Real Madrid. He’s been excellent this season, with 22 goal involvements in 36 games. He’ll be key in midfield to control the game and contribute offensively and defensively.

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Prediction

This will be a tight game between two rivals. Atletico will have the home advantage and the crowd behind them, but Real Madrid’s experience and attacking prowess might be the difference.