Should Atlético Madrid progress to the 2024/25 Champions League quarter-finals, they will have to make history.
When the players in red and white stripes walk out to a ferocious reception from their people at the Estadio Metropolitano, they will know that no iteration in their club's 122-year history has managed to beat Real Madrid in a European tie. This one — the sixth occasion the two sides have come up against each other in the continent's premier competition — has already thrown up controversy, spectacular goals, and major talking points from last week's first leg.
Two excellent goals in the first half from Rodrygo and Julián Alvarez had the match nicely poised, with Atleti controlling proceedings for a large proportion. In the second period, a controversially-allowed solo effort from Brahim Díaz has given Carlo Ancelotti’s side a slender 2-1 lead going into this week’s reverse leg. Although a sense of a missed opportunity prevailed, those at Atlético remain positive that the tie isn’t over yet.
But a distasteful loss at Getafe CF in La Liga just three days before the return leg hasn't helped the positivity push. Footage emerging from Monday's training session at the Cerro de Espino shows the players — described as "very serious" — being encouraged by fitness coach Luis Piñedo.
However, you only have to go back a year to find the last time Atleti put in a weak away performance before a crucial Champions League fixture from which they ended up progressing. Then, it was a 1-0 disadvantage that was turned around at the Metropolitano against a strong Inter Milan side (UCL finalists the year before). That said, a different beast awaits this time in the form of the 15-time champions, who fared slightly better in their La Liga fixture between the two legs. Los Blancos closed out a tight 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano on Sunday that keeps the winning feel flowing on the white side of Madrid.
In what will be the club’s fourth meeting of the season — their eighth in the last two — we know more or less what to expect from a tactical point of view. The two managers know each other inside out, the players will know their opposition numbers’ micro-movements like the backs of their hands.
This match, as almost always the case in this fixture, will be decided by moments. Atleti will have to hope they are on the right end of two more moments than their opponents are, now that the away goals rule counts for nothing. Having said that, the last two wins Los Rojiblancos have recorded over Real Madrid came by two-goal margins. Perhaps something for the fans to hold onto.
Team news
The cost of Sunday's loss to Getafe wasn't only the three points dropped in the La Liga title race. Clément Lenglet was set to start that game, but was replaced after feeling discomfort in the warm-up. For the moment, he remains sidelined alongside Koke.
Rodrigo De Paul suffered a heavy knock against Los Azulones which forced his retirement from the match at halftime. The Argentine did join the rest of the starters for regular training on Monday, and he is expected to be available Wednesday.
Getafe CF v Atletico de Madrid - La Liga EA Sports De Paul only managed 45 minutes against Getafe
Photo by Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Star forwards Antoine Griezmann and Julián Alvarez were taken off at the weekend in an attempt to give them some form of rest. Question marks still remain over Griezmann's role when playing alongside his strike partner, so he'll hope he can put those doubts to bed. The Frenchman has 11 career goals against Madrid, his last in January 2024.
Predicted lineup
Oblak; Llorente, Giménez, Le Normand, Galán; Giuliano, De Paul, Barrios, Lino; Griezmann, Alvarez