Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid: UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Preview, Team News & Prediction
The stage is set for a high-stakes UEFA Champions League Round of 16 showdown as Real Madrid take on city rivals Atletico Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. This will be the 10th time the two Madrid giants face off in Europe’s elite competition, making it one of the most frequent same-nation clashes in Champions League history.
Real Madrid hold the upper hand in past encounters, having dominated their rivals in European competitions. However, Diego Simeone’s men are in fine form and will be determined to break their Champions League curse against Los Blancos.
Match Preview
Carlo Ancelotti’s side suffered a setback in their La Liga title race after a disappointing defeat to Real Betis, which saw them slip to third in the standings. While their league campaign has taken a hit, the defending UEFA Champions League winners will be focused on securing a crucial first-leg advantage against their biggest Spanish rivals.
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid are on a 10-match unbeaten run across all competitions and have climbed to second place in La Liga following Real Madrid’s recent slip-up. Simeone’s side recently played out a thrilling 4-4 draw with Barcelona in the Copa del Rey and followed it up with a narrow 1-0 win over Athletic Club.
The two teams last faced off in La Liga just a month ago, with Real Madrid dominating possession but only managing a 1-1 draw. In the Champions League, their last meeting came in the 2016/17 semi-finals, where Real Madrid won 4-2 on aggregate. Atletico Madrid have only won twice in nine Champions League encounters against their fierce rivals and have never managed to knock them out of the tournament. This will be their chance to change that narrative.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti will be without Jude Bellingham, who is suspended after picking up a crucial yellow card in the last round. The midfield star joins Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal, and Dani Ceballos on the sidelines.
Real Madrid are expected to stick to their 4-4-2 formation, with Thibaut Courtois guarding the goal. Lucas Vazquez is likely to start at right-back, while Ferland Mendy operates on the left flank. Antonio Rudiger will be partnered in central defense by Raul Asencio.
In midfield, Federico Valverde will play centrally alongside Aurelien Tchouameni, while Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz will add width and attacking intent from the flanks. Up front, Vinicius Junior will be paired with Kylian Mbappe, who will be the key attacking weapon for Los Blancos.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Courtois; Vazquez, Rudiger, Asencio, Mendy; Diaz, Valverde, Tchouameni, Rodrygo; Vinicius Junior, Mbappe.
Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone’s side will be without Cesar Azpilicueta and Koke, but they have a full-strength squad otherwise. Like their opponents, Atletico Madrid will also set up in a 4-4-2 formation, looking to frustrate Real Madrid while hitting them on the counter.
Jan Oblak will start in goal, with Nahuel Molina, Robin Le Normand, Jose Gimenez, and Javi Galan forming the backline. Marcos Llorente and Samuel Lino will provide width in midfield, while Rodrigo De Paul and Pablo Barrios will control the central areas.
Up front, Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez will spearhead the attack, aiming to exploit any defensive gaps in the Real Madrid setup.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Oblak; Molina, Le Normand, Gimenez, Galan; Llorente, De Paul, Barrios, Lino; Griezmann, Alvarez.
Key Stats
- Real Madrid have won 116 out of 238 matches against Atletico Madrid, while Atletico have secured 59 victories.
- This will be the 10th Champions League meeting between the two sides, the most between two teams from the same country.
- Real Madrid have progressed in all five previous European knockout ties against Atletico Madrid.
- Atletico Madrid have only won two of their nine Champions League encounters with Los Blancos.
- The last La Liga clash between these two teams ended in a 1-1 draw.
Player to Watch – Kylian Mbappe
After a slow start to life at Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappe has hit top form at the business end of the season. The French forward was instrumental in Madrid’s knockout victory over Manchester City, scoring four goals across the two legs.
With 31 goal contributions so far this season, Mbappe will be the biggest attacking threat for Atletico Madrid. If he finds space in the final third, he could be the difference-maker in this crucial Champions League tie.
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid Prediction
Real Madrid 3-1 Atletico Madrid
Real Madrid may have lost ground in the La Liga title race, but they remain a dominant force in the UEFA Champions League. Atletico Madrid will put up a strong fight, but their record against Los Blancos in this competition suggests that Real Madrid will come out on top.
Expect a fierce battle, but with Mbappe, Vinicius, and Rodrygo leading the attack, Real Madrid should secure a first-leg advantage with a 3-1 victory at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid Live Stream
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