Atleti vs Real Madrid Champions League preview: Where to watch, predicted line-ups, team news
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Article summary
Where to watch, predicted line-ups, team news, form and coaches' views ahead of the round of 16 second leg.
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Atleti host Real Madrid with a quarter-final place up for grabs in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie.
Match at a glance
When: 12 March (21:00 CET)
Where: Estadio Metropolitano, Madrid
What: Champions League round of 16 second leg
Who: The three-time Europa League winners against the Champions League holders.
First leg result: Real Madrid 2-1 Atleti
Next: Winners face Arsenal/PSV in quarter-finals
How to follow: Build-up and live coverage can be found here
Where to watch the game on TV
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.
What do you need to know?
Brahim Díaz's strike ensured Real Madrid marked their record 500th European Cup/Champions League match with their first win over Atleti this season, following two tightly contested La Liga draws. While last season's Spanish domestic cup knockout ties were evenly split, Los Blancos have dominated their meetings in Europe – pipping their cross-town rivals to the trophy in the 2014 and 2016 finals, and eliminating them in 2015 and 2017.
Earning a "small advantage...was our objective," assessed Carlo Ancelotti. However, the tie "isn't over by any means" states Díaz, as they make the short journey to Estadio Metropolitano, where Atleti coach Diego Simeone is confident the home support will be ready "push us, give us energy".
Possible line-ups
Atleti: Oblak; Llorente, Giménez, Lenglet, Galán; Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Lino; Griezmann, Alvarez
Real Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Rüdiger, Raúl Asencio, Mendy; Modrić, Tchouaméni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior
Form guide
Form: LLWDWD
Latest: Getafe 2-1 Atlético de Madrid, La Liga, 09/03
Form: WWLWWW
Latest: Real Madrid 2-1 Rayo Vallecano, La Liga, 09/03
What the coaches say
Diego Simeone, Atleti coach: "I believe in the players, I have confidence in the squad, I understand the heart that my players have. We are going out to continue in this Champions League, because that is our ultimate goal. The rival team's characteristic, having so many vertical players, is their game. It lives more on speed than on association. We are more collective, we can alternate possession and switch between a higher and lower tempo."
Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid coach: "All the games against Atleti have been very close and tomorrow will be the same, they are always decided by small details. Those who don't start will definitely contribute, a well-made change can make the difference. We're motivated as always in this competition – it's a game that allows us to continue dreaming of the title."