Football

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Preview, Team News, Lineups, Head-to-Head and Prediction | UCL Round of 16 Leg 2

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Sushan Chakraborty
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Sushan Chakraborty Sports Editor

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Published12 Mar 2025

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The two biggest teams in the Spanish capital, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, will lock horns for the second time in eight days when they meet at the Metropolitano Stadium in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) Round of 16 on Wednesday night, 12 March. 

Reigning European champions Real Madrid claimed a 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid in last Tuesday’s (4 March) first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and are the favourites to progress to the quarter-finals.

UCL Round of 16 Second Leg: Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Preview

Atletico Madrid

Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid fought tooth and nail in the first leg at the Bernabeu. They dominated in some phases and were right in the contest until Brahim Diaz scored the winning goal through a sensational solo effort in the 55th minute. Their problem was not organization. It was the lack of ingenuity, with them ending the game with an xG of 0.20.

At the Metropolitano, Atletico will look to fix that problem and take the fight right to their lofty neighbours. And on paper, they have a good chance of pulling it off. Atletico Madrid have lost just one of their last seven home matches against Real Madrid. Simeone’s men also have a superior head-to-head record against Real Madrid in recent cup meetings, winning four of their last five games and drawing the other. Atletico have not lost a Champions League knockout game at home in 28 years, not since their defeat to Ajax in March 1997.

While Atletico have every right to fancy their chances, they will also be wary of the job at hand. Los Colchoneros were humbled once more over the weekend, succumbing to a 2-1 defeat at Getafe. They must put in a much better shift to avoid their third consecutive loss on Wednesday.

Real Madrid

Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid have not been at their unplayable best this season. However, they are still on the hunt for that elusive Treble. Cohesion is still lacking, but there is an abundance of match-winners at Los Blancos’ disposal, players who can decide the game in a heartbeat.

While Atletico Madrid boast an excellent record at home, Real Madrid will be confident knowing they are unbeaten against their noisy neighbours in the Champions League. They have beaten them three times in the last 11 years, twice in the finals (2014 and 2016) and in the 2017 semi-finals.

Additionally, since Atletico cannot afford to sit back at the Metropolitano, the likes of Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe could get plenty of opportunities to stretch their legs.

Los Merengues are coming into the UCL Round of 16 decider on the back of a 2-1 victory against La Liga rivals Rayo Vallecano. Vinicius and Mbappe were on the scoresheet for the defending Spanish champions.

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid: Team News, Lineup, and Head-to-Head

Atletico Madrid Team News and Lineup

The hosts welcomed Cesar Azpilicueta to the pitch in the defeat against Getafe, meaning Koke is set to be the only absentee for the UCL Round of 16 second leg against Real Madrid.

Confirmed lineup: Oblak; Llorente, Gimenez, Lenglet, Reinildo; Simeone, Barrios, De Paul, Gallagher; Alvarez, Griezmann

Real Madrid Team News and Lineup

Los Blancos will still be without Dani Ceballos (hamstring), Dani Carvajal (ACL), and Eder Militao (ACL), but Jude Bellingham will be involved after serving his suspension last week.

Confirmed lineup: Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Tchouameni, Modric; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr.

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Head-to-Head

Madrid’s bitterest foes have clashed 237 times over the years. Madrid have won 121 times, Atleti 59, and 57 games have ended all square.

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid: Prediction

Atletico Madrid could get the opening goal against Real Madrid, but they are unlikely to keep a clean sheet against the visitors’ formidable attack. Atleti’s unbeaten streak could stay intact, but the Whites may just have the last laugh.

Our prediction: Atletico 1-1 Real Madrid