The Madrid derby moves to European football’s grandest stage as city rivals Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid prepare to face off in the second leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie. With Real Madrid holding a 2-1 advantage from the first leg, the stage is set for another chapter in one of football’s most intense rivalries.
Carlo Ancelotti’s defending European champions established their narrow lead at the Santiago Bernabéu on March 4th, but Diego Simeone’s Atletico will hope the Metropolitano’s fiery atmosphere can inspire a comeback. Real Madrid aim to maintain their dominance in this fixture, while Atletico look to overturn recent history against their neighbours.
This tie carries the weight of history, with Real Madrid having repeatedly crushed Atletico’s European dreams in previous seasons. Can Los Colchoneros finally get their payback, or will Los Blancos continue their march toward a potential 16th European crown?
Key Details
- Date: Wednesday, March 12, 2025
- Kick-off: 20:00 (UK Time)
- Venue: Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid
- Where to Watch: TNT Sports
Current Form
Atletico Madrid’s Season
The hosts enter this crucial fixture following a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Getafe on Sunday, which came just days after their 2-1 loss to Real Madrid in the first leg. These back-to-back defeats are a concerning dip in form for Diego Simeone’s side, who had lost just once in 26 games before these consecutive setbacks.
That said, Atletico’s Champions League campaign has been impressive overall, with six wins from nine matches. Their home European record against Spanish clubs also remains strong.
The team’s defensive credentials – traditionally one of their strongest assets – have been on display in La Liga with just 18 goals conceded in 27 matches, the best record in the division. However, the potential absence of key veteran midfielder Koke, who has been sidelined with a muscle injury since mid-February, could prove significant.
Julián Álvarez remains Atletico’s most potent attacking threat with 22 goals across all competitions, though he failed to find the net in Sunday’s defeat, ending a run of four consecutive scoring appearances.
Real Madrid’s Season
The reigning European champions arrive at the Metropolitano in formidable form, having won 17 of their last 22 matches across all competitions. Their most recent outing saw them get a 2-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano, thanks to first-half goals from Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior.
Real Madrid’s Champions League pedigree is unquestionable, with their record extending to 15 European Cups following last season’s victory over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley. Their European record against Spanish sides is equally impressive (W13 D6 L5).
Carlo Ancelotti’s squad continues to be led by the goal-scoring form of Kylian Mbappé, who has found the net 15 times in his last 15 appearances. The visitors will be without long-term absentees Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão, while Antonio Rüdiger missed Sunday’s win due to illness and remains a doubt for this crucial encounter.
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid: Recent Head-to-Head Meetings
| Date | Competition | Result |
| March 4, 2025 | Champions League | Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico Madrid |
| February 8, 2025 | LaLiga | Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid |
| September 29, 2024 | LaLiga | Atletico Madrid 1-1 Real Madrid |
| February 4, 2024 | LaLiga | Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid |
| January 18, 2024 | Copa del Rey | Atletico Madrid 4-2 Real Madrid |
Recent history between these Madrid giants has been balanced, with three draws and one Atletico victory from their last five meetings before Real’s 2-1 victory in the first leg. Atletico’s standout result came in last season’s Copa del Rey, where they triumphed 4-2 over their city rivals.
The first leg at the Bernabéu followed a familiar pattern in this fixture, with Rodrygo giving Real Madrid an early lead within four minutes, only for Julián Álvarez to equalise with a spectacular curling effort. The decisive moment came in the 55th minute when Brahim Díaz restored Real Madrid’s lead with an impressive strike following excellent footwork.
In European competition, these sides have met in several significant knockout ties over the past decade, with Real Madrid typically emerging victorious. Notably, Los Blancos defeated Atletico in the Champions League finals of 2014 and 2016, and also triumphed in the 2017 semifinals.
Statistical Insights & Facts
- Real Madrid (2nd in La Liga with 57 points) and Atletico Madrid (3rd with 56 points) are separated by just one point in the domestic standings
- Real Madrid have knocked Atletico out of the Champions League knockout phase in five of their previous six meetings
- Diego Simeone’s side were unbeaten in 26 games before losing back-to-back matches against Real Madrid and Getafe
- Real Madrid has the second-highest scoring record in La Liga with 57 goals, compared to Atletico’s 44
- The Santiago Bernabéu first leg was Federico Valverde’s 300th Real Madrid appearance
Champions League | Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid: Odds
7bet provides the following odds for the next Champions League match between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.
| Market | Selection | Odds |
| 1X2 | Atletico Madrid | 16/11 |
| Draw | 5/2 | |
| Real Madrid | 12/7 | |
| To Qualify | Atletico Madrid | 7/3 |
| Real Madrid | 1/3 | |
| First Goal | Atletico Madrid | 7/8 |
| No Goal | 14/1 | |
| Real Madrid | 24/25 | |
| Double Chance | Atletico Madrid or Draw | 3/7 |
| Atletico Madrid or Real Madrid | 4/13 | |
| Draw or Real Madrid | 12/25 | |
| Both Teams to Score | Yes | 10/19 |
| No | 7/5 | |
| Draw No Bet | Atletico Madrid | 4/5 |
| Real Madrid | 20/21 |
Please note that these odds are accurate at the time of publishing. Make sure to check the latest odds before placing your bet.
The Match-Up
The Metropolitano will be a cauldron of noise as Atletico seek to overturn their one-goal deficit. Simeone’s men have shown they can compete with their neighbours in recent meetings, but the pressure of needing a win against a team as experienced in European knockout football as Real Madrid presents a considerable challenge.
For Atletico, the strategy will likely revolve around maintaining their defensive solidity while finding opportunities to unleash Álvarez and exploit any weaknesses in Real Madrid’s backline. Their recent defeat to Getafe may prompt Simeone to make tactical adjustments.
Ancelotti’s Real Madrid, meanwhile, approach this match with the luxury of knowing a draw would be sufficient to progress. Their wealth of experience in managing second-leg advantages in the Champions League will be invaluable.
With the attacking quality on display from both sides – from Álvarez and Griezmann for Atletico to Mbappé, Vinícius, and Bellingham for Real – this promises to be another interesting chapter in the Madrid derby saga. European history between these sides suggests Real Madrid hold the psychological edge, but in the white-hot atmosphere of the Metropolitano, Atletico will believe they can finally turn the tide.
The stakes couldn’t be higher – a place in the Champions League quarter-finals awaits the victor, and if recent history is any guide, potentially European glory in May.
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