Arsenal and Atletico Madrid supporters have been issued an urgent warning about thunderstorms and torrential rain that could affect their Champions League clash tonight. Meteorologists have confirmed that severe weather conditions are forecast across the Madrid Metropolitan Area and Henares Corridor, potentially disrupting travel.
Fans journeying to Spain have been advised to remain vigilant and monitor local updates. They are also urged to plan their transport arrangements before departing for the Metropolitano Stadium. Local weather service Aemet indicates that Wednesday will experience 30mm of rainfall in just one hour, with the alert active from 12pm in the afternoon until 10pm - after the match is scheduled to finish.
The website warns of "significant danger" from storms, with "very strong gusts" of wind and "occasionally hail" also anticipated.
With the weather alert in effect, the two rival managers will have one eye on the heavens and the other on their squad as a place in the Champions League final awaits just one of them.
Manager Diego Simeone commended his team for reaching the semi-finals and maintains that focus is firmly fixed on the Arsenal challenge. He said: "Dreaming is all well and good, but reality is what happens on the ground.
"Reality is what we do and what God wills. That's how we behave. We're in another semi-final. It's extraordinary to reach it for the fourth time in 14 years. It's incredible.
"That faith, that excitement, that infectious spirit will do us a world of good. We're facing a tough match but we're going there full of hope."
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta will be hoping that Kai Havertz and Eberechi Eze have shaken off their "niggles" in time to feature against Atleti. Speaking following the victory over Newcastle, the Arsenal manager said: "But in relation to the two players [Havertz and Eze], there are muscular niggles.
"We don't think it's too much. We have to wait and see if they're going to be available for Wednesday."