Real Madrid-Atlético: derby in Champions League round of 16

The Champions League round of 16 gets underway for Real Madrid, who host Atlético at the Santiago Bernabéu tonight looking to take a first step towards the quarter-finals (9:00 pm CET). The third derby of the season will see our team seek to build an advantage in the tie, capitalising on the support of the home fans set to pack the stadium.

It's sure to be an evenly matched and demanding fixture, as reflected in the two LaLiga encounters so far this campaign, which both finished with the same result: a 1-1 draw. But the connection between Ancelotti's boys and the Bernabéu on European nights like this will be key once again in taking the initiative in the tie. Indeed, Real Madrid have won all three European Cup games against Atlético played on home turf. The first came in the semi-finals back in 1958/59 (2-1), the second in the quarters in 2014/15 (1-0), and last time in the first leg of the 2016/17 semis (3-0).

Enjoy all the videos from this match on RM Play

Tonight's derby clash will also be Real Madrid's 500th European Cup match, making them the first team to reach the milestone in the competition's history. “It was a special night against Manchester City and we want to see a repeat of that kind of performance,” highlighted Carlo Ancelotti in the pre-match press conference. The Italian will be without the suspended Jude Bellingham in the squad, the Englishman missing out due to an accumulation of yellow cards. His teammates will be hoping to extend their eight-game scoring run in his absence.

Atlético de Madrid
Simeone's team are into the Champions League round of 16 after finishing fifth in the initial league phase. They are unbeaten in their last ten games (6 wins and 4 draws) and have lost just one of their last 26. Julián Álvarez is their leading marksman so far, with 21. The record between the two clubs in the European Cup reads favourably for Real Madrid: 5 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats.