MADRID: Atletico Madrid stare down both bitter city rivals Real Madrid and the weight of history as they aim to reach the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday.
Los Blancos are the record 15-time champions, the current holders, and lead 2-1 Atletico in the last 16 tie as well as seemingly holding a decades-long jinx on Atletico. The teams have been paired on five occasions in the history of the competition and Real Madrid have emerged triumphant every time.
“History exists, and Madrid´s history in the Champions League is extraordinary,” admitted Atletico coach Diego Simeone before the first leg, with his side still waiting for a first European Cup. Most painful for Atletico were the 2014 and 2016 final defeats in Lisbon and Milan respectively.
Simeone´s side led in stoppage time in the former, but Sergio Ramos´s 93rd minute header forced extra-time, with Madrid running out 4-1 winners. Two years later the final went all the way to penalties but Atletico defender Juanfran missed his spot-kick, allowing Cristiano Ronaldo to convert his and mark up another Madrid triumph.
It was their third defeat at the last hurdle, after losing against Bayern Munich in the 1974 final, with then-president Vicente Calderon labelling his club “el pupas” – the cursed one. Never does that feel more accurate than when Simeone´s side face Real Madrid in Europe.
In the 2017 semi-finals Atletico lost 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg, but despite taking a two-goal lead in the return, came up short when Isco pulled one back for Madrid. In 2015 it took an 88th minute strike in the second leg by Madrid striker Javier Hernandez to divide the sides in a tight contest.
Madrid´s upper hand was first placed as far back as 1959, when they beat Atletico 2-1 in a semi-final play-off, after the home and away ties left the teams level.
However Atletico´s motto is “courage and heart” and with nearly 70,000 fans behind them at their Metropolitano stadium, they will believe they can write a new chapter into the history books.
This will be the first Champions League clash against Real Madrid at Atletico´s new home, with their 2017 final four battle their last ever European game at their beloved Vicente Calderon stadium.
Simeone said the first leg was “very tactical” for a Madrid derby, with both sides cautious in the second half after Brahim Diaz put Madrid 2-1 ahead in the 55th minute. Rodrygo Goes gave the hosts the lead but Julian Alvarez´s fine strike levelled for Atletico in the first half. Only one yellow card was shown, to Diaz for jumping into the crowd after scoring what proved the winner.
