Simeone senses chance for Atletico to make history in Champions League

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone senses an opportunity for his side to end their dismal run against Real Madrid by knocking them out of the Champions League.

The city rivals have drawn each other four times in the past 11 seasons in this competition, with Atletico on the losing side all four times, most notably in the 2014 and 2016 finals.

Heading into the latest chapter of their rivalry on Europe’s biggest stage, Atletico are in better form than their opponents and are second in the LaLiga standings, two points ahead of Real.

“We are facing a rival that we respect. We know our strengths, we play to our full potential and we will try to take the game to a place where we can hurt them,” Simeone said.

“History exists, and Madrid’s history in the Champions League is extraordinary. Tomorrow we will have a new opportunity.

“I always put Barcelona and Madrid in the place they are in because of the history they have, but we are pure growth, which is very nice.

“For the city it is spectacular – and for Spain, to be able to have a Spanish team in the quarter-finals. We are going to play, to enjoy it.”

Champions League is back! pic.twitter.com/CUfCkwiYEY

— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) March 3, 2025

This will be the 10th meeting between Atletico and Real in the Euopean Cup or Champions League, the joint-most meetings between teams from the same nation along with Chelsea versus Liverpool.

Real have lost just one of their last 17 matches in the knockout stages of this competition, and have only been knocked out by a Spanish side twice in 12 ties.

If Atletico are to get the better of them, they will need 25-year-old striker Julian Alvarez to be firing on all cylinders.

The Argentina international, who scored in Atletico’s 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, has netted 21 times in all competitions since signing from Manchester City in August in a deal reportedly worth €75million.

Simeone said: “He is very young. He needs to continue in this way, he has to keep developing, he has room for improvement.

“Hopefully his team-mates and the coaching staff will help him continue to grow. He looks full with energy, with the desire to do more. That will influence his growth.”