Euro derby this Tuesday at the Santiago Bernabéu. A clash of the titans between Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid as they look to strike the first blow in the fight for a place in the Champions League quarter finals. A duel that comes in the midst of the fight of both teams, along with FC Barcelona, for the league championship in a tight schedule in which they have to give their all in every game.
In this fight for the title, this Saturday there was one loser and one clear winner, depending on what Barça do on Sunday. Real Madrid slipped up at the Benito Villamarín against Real Betis. Brahim opened the scoring early on for the Whites, who were not at their best in defense and, against a lively Cardoso, went into the break with the score level. In the second half, former Madrid player Isco made it 2-1 from the penalty spot. With this defeat, Carlos Ancelotti’s side gave Atlético and Barça a free pass to take the lead and gain an advantage.
Something that Atlético de Madrid took advantage of, winning and taking the lead with a two-point advantage. It remains to be seen if they can maintain their lead, which will depend on what Barça do. If they win, they would move into first place, taking three points from Real Madrid. Returning to the match that made Simeone’s side leaders, the Rojiblancos beat Athletic Club 1-0 on Saturday in Matchday 26, thanks to a solitary goal from Julián Álvarez midway through the second half.
A classic European derby
Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid face each other again in the top competition in Europe. While it is true that Simeone’s team have been a tough rival for the Whites in recent years, they have a thorn in their side in European clashes, where Real Madrid have emerged victorious in the last four, including two finals in Milan and Lisbon.
The first contemporary clash between the two teams was in the final in Lisbon in the 2013-2014 season. Atlético de Madrid, already managed by Diego Simeone, took the lead after 36 minutes with a goal from Godín. Atlético were able to contain Real Madrid almost until the end, but in the 93rd minute Sergio Ramos’ header forced extra time and snatched the ‘Orejona’ from the rojiblanco team. In extra time, with Atlético sunk, Real Madrid ended up thrashing them 4-1 with goals from Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo from the penalty spot.
Just a few months later, in the next edition, their paths crossed again, this time in the quarter finals. The first match was played at the Vicente Calderón, where both teams drew 0-0. In the second leg, a solitary goal from Javier “Chicarito” Hernández took the Whites through to the next round. A year later, the two teams met again, and again in a final, this time in Milan. Here, the Whites took the lead first, with a goal from Sergio Ramos after 15 minutes. After Griezmann missed a penalty, Carrasco equalized in the 79th minute, a result that held until the penalty shootout. And once again Real Madrid managed to come out on top after Juanfran missed the fifth spot kick.
As if that were not enough, a year later the two teams met again, this time for a place in the final of the 2016-2017 Champions League. In this tie, Real Madrid showed their strength, putting the tie on track at the Santiago Bernabéu with a 3-0 win. In the second leg, Atlético stood up to them, winning 2-1, but were unable to turn the result around. In this new clash in the Champions League round of 16, Atlético de Madrid will try to do what they have not managed to do in the Champions League, eliminate Carlo Ancelotti‘s Real Madrid.
Atleti will be cheered on by their fans against Real Madrid
The rivalry and the proximity has unleashed madness among the fans who have tried to get a ticket for the European derby. Requests for tickets for the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 have multiplied and overwhelmed the club, which has sold all 3,875 tickets available on the basis of membership length. The Colchoneros received a total of 11,217 requests, with the final cut-off point being 15.24 years of uninterrupted membership. That is to say, those prior to Simeone’s arrival.
When Does Real Madrid vs. Atlético de Madrid in the Champions League Take Place?
Date & Time
The Real Madrid vs. Atlético de Madrid match will take place on Tuesday, March 4 at:
- USA: 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT
- UK: 8:00 PM GMT
- Canada: 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT
📍 Venue: Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid, Spain)
Where to Watch Real Madrid vs. Atlético de Madrid in the Champions League?
- USA: CBS Sports, Paramount+, Univision (Spanish)
- UK: TNT Sports, Discovery+
- Canada: DAZN