Atletico Madrid welcome Real Madrid to the Metropolitano tonight in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
It’s a Madrid derby with plenty at stake, as Atletico look to overturn a first-leg deficit and avoid another European exit to their fiercest rivals.
Nothing is written
❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/SKCUzC8f2g
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) March 11, 2025
Atletico have a near full-strength squad to choose from with Koke the only absentee after Cesar Azpilicueta’s return. For Real Madrid, Dani Ceballos has joined Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao in the treatment room, due to a hamstring injury.
There’s little to separate the sides and just a point splits them in the La Liga table. However, Real Madrid dominate the European history, having eliminated Atletico in all four previous Champions League ties, including the 2014 and 2016 finals.
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid – Match preview and team news
Form
Atletico: WDWLL
Atlético are aiming to bounce back from successive defeats after a late collapse at Getafe in La Liga. Leading 1-0 with just two minutes to go, a late brace from Mauro Arambarri dented Atletico’s title hopes. Diego Simeone’s side remain right in the race, however, with just a point between leaders Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico. However, the table toppers have a game in hand on the capital clubs.
Atletico can take encouragement tonight from a strong home record in Europe. Simeone’s side have won eight of their last nine Champions League games at The Metropolitano. The only exception was a 3-1 defeat to Lille in the league phase.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side warmed up for the second leg with a 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano. Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior were on target in the first half as Los Blancos climbed above Atletico in the table.
After a mixed start, Mbappe has found his goalscoring form. The Frenchman has 18 in La Liga this season, behind only Robert Lewandowski in the race for the Pichichi Trophy. He has nine goals in his last 10 league appearances and 29 for the season in all competitions. Another tonight would mean Mbappe has eclipsed 30 goals in a campaign for seven straight seasons.
Last Meeting
Brahim Diaz’s brilliant goal earned Real Madrid an advantage in the first leg last week. Real Madrid made a lightning start as Rodrygo fired the hosts in front at the Bernabeu. Fede Valverde’s incisive pass freed the Brazilian, who skipped inside to fire past Jan Oblak. An outstanding goal from Atleti’s Julian Alvarez levelled before half-time, as the Argentine curled an unstoppable finish beyond the dive of Thibaut Courtois.
Diaz – in for the suspended Jude Bellingham – then sealed success for Real Madrid in an electric derby contest. His fine footwork bamboozled Jose Giminez before a low effort secured a precious first-leg lead.
Predicted Lineups
Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Molina, Gimenez, Le Normand, Javi Galan; Simeone, Marcos Llorente, De Paul, Lino; Alvarez, Griezmann.
Real Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Tchouameni, Camavinga; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappe.
Who is the referee?
Simon Marciniak (Poland)
What channel is Atletico vs Real Madrid on?
The game will be shown live on TNT Sports 3 in the UK.
What time is kick-off?
20:00 GMT.
Odds
Atletico Madrid – 6/4
Draw – 5/2
Real Madrid – 17/10
Read – Iconic Performances: Ronaldo treble kills Atletico’s Champions League dreams
See more – 90s Hitmen: Raul – Real Madrid and Champions League royalty
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