Atletico Madrid must overturn a one-goal deficit and defeat Real Madrid to secure a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Having won the first leg 2-1, UEFA Champions League holders Real Madrid only need to avoid defeat against Atletico Madrid at Estadio Metropolitano to secure their place in the quarter-finals.
The home team have been a force to reckon with for the majority of the season, but things have not been that great for them lately. Following the defeat in the first leg, Atletico Madrid ended up losing 2-1 to Getafe in La Liga, which has seen them go down to third in the standings yet again.
Despite dominating the ball, Los Rojiblancos could not create enough goalscoring opportunities. They will have to do much better against Los Blancos if they want to stay alive in the UEFA Champions League.
Meanwhile, the visitors have not been as consistent as one expects them to be, but they still manage to get the job done on most occasions. On the back of their win in the first leg, they clinched the all-important three points against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
While the Merengues do not have the best of records at the Metropolitano, having won the first leg, they will be confident of getting the job done. But it won’t be easy, as Atletico Madrid will have their share of chances. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Atletico Madrid
Cesar Azpilicueta made a return to the Atletico Madrid squad in their last outing, which means Koke is the only first-team player who is not available for this fixture against Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Diego Simeone will stick to his preferred 4-4-2 formation, and he is unlikely to make any major changes to the team that started in their last outing.
Jan Oblak will be in goal for Atletico Madrid, while Nahuel Molina and Javi Galan will be the full-backs. In the heart of the defence, Jose Gimenez will start alongside Robin Le Normand. The back four will aim for a clean sheet, as it can go a long way in helping them bounce back in this tie.
Giuliano Simeone and Samuel Lino will feature out wide on the flanks in midfield. They will look to contribute on both ends of the pitch. Meanwhile, Marcos Llorente and Rodrigo De Paul will take up a more central role, looking to control the tempo. Finally, Julian Alvarez should partner with Antoine Griezmann in the offensive third.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Oblak; Molina, Gimenez, Le Normand, Javi Galan; Simeone, Marcos Llorente, De Paul, Lino; Alvarez, Griezmann
Real Madrid
Antonio Rudiger and Thibaut Courtois, who were rested in their last outing, are expected to be back in the starting XI. Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham, who missed the first leg because of suspension, is also back in the mix. However, Real Madrid do remain without the services of Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal and Dani Ceballos ahead of the game against Atletico Madrid.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team will also line up in a 4-4-2 formation, where Thibaut Courtois will be in goal. Federico Valverde could once again be asked to take up the right-back role, while Ferland Mendy will feature on the left. In the heart of the defence, Raul Asencio should partner with Antonio Rudiger.
Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga will take up the central roles in midfield, while Rodrygo and Bellingham will take up the wide berths. Despite his match-winning contribution last time out, Brahim Diaz will be starting on the bench in this one. Finally, Vinicius Junior will line up alongside Kylian Mbappe in the strike partnership.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Rodrygo, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Bellingham; Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
Key Stats
- Atletico Madrid have only lost one out of their last seven home games against Real Madrid.
- Atletico Madrid have lost the first leg of a UEFA Champions League knockout tie six times but have overturned the deficit on three occasions — all at home in the second leg.
- Real Madrid are yet to win an away game in Europe against Atletico Madrid.
- Atletico Madrid have not lost a home knockout fixture in the UEFA Champions League in the last 28 years.
- Los Blancos have only failed to go through once in 22 previous ties after winning the first leg.
Player to Watch
Jude Bellingham
Bellingham’s return ahead of the second leg is a massive boost for the team in white. The 21-year-old has 22 goal contributions in his 36 outings, and he can certainly be a huge threat for Atletico. Beyond his influence in the final third, his defensive work rate will be crucial to Real Madrid’s hopes of progressing to the next round.
Prediction
Atletico Madrid 2-2 Real Madrid
Real Madrid have a poor record at Estadio Metropolitano and often struggle away against Atletico Madrid. It promises to be a closely contested clash, where Los Blancos may find victory difficult but can still secure the draw they need to advance. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-2 stalemate in the second leg of this round of 16 tie.
