The battle for Madrid rages on as Atlético and Real Madrid collide once more in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 showdown at the Metropolitano on Wednesday night. After a nail-biting first leg, Los Blancos hold a slim 2-1 advantage—but nothing is settled yet.
With a spot in the quarter-finals on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The winner will move on to face either Arsenal or PSV, but first, they must survive 90 more minutes of all-out war. In a rivalry where chaos reigns, anything can happen.
Atlético Madrid enters Wednesday’s Champions League showdown with Real Madrid armed with a rock-solid home record and a fierce determination to overturn their narrow first-leg deficit. With 27 wins in their last 42 matches and three victories in their last four home league games, Los Colchoneros are a force to be reckoned with—especially on their own turf.
History is on their side. Simeone’s men have lost just one of their last seven home meetings with Real Madrid across all competitions. Even more impressively, Atlético hasn’t tasted defeat in a Champions League knockout-stage match at home since 1997, going unbeaten in 18 such encounters. If there’s ever a time to keep that streak alive, it’s now.
With Cesar Azpilicueta back in the mix, only Koke is unavailable, giving Simeone a nearly full-strength squad to work with. Nahuel Molina and Robin Le Normand both started against Getafe and could retain their places, while Marcos Llorente’s position will depend on whether Pablo Barrios gets the nod.
All eyes will be on Álvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann, but don’t overlook Samuel Lino, whose stunning strike at the Bernabéu made him just the third Atleti player in the 21st century to score in back-to-back derbies at Madrid’s iconic stadium. Now, under the lights at the Metropolitano, Atlético must rise to the occasion—because their Champions League future depends on it.
ATLÉTICO MADRID predicted lineup vs REAL MADRID: Oblak (GK); Molina, Gimenez, Le Normand, Javi Galan; Simeone, Marcos Llorente, De Paul, Lino; Alvarez, Griezmann.
Real Madrid marches into the Metropolitano with an air of invincibility, boasting a flawless Champions League campaign—six wins from six—and a dominant record on the road. Their 2-1 victory at the Bernabéu last week gave them the edge, but this battle is far from over.
Los Blancos are a nightmare for teams trying to stage a comeback. In their storied history, they have advanced 21 out of 22 times when winning the first leg in the Champions League. The lone exception? A shocking upset to Ajax in 2019. Under Carlo Ancelotti, they’ve never let such an advantage slip—nine times they’ve led, nine times they’ve moved on.
This match isn’t just about survival—it’s about legacy. Ancelotti will manage his 75th Champions League game with Real Madrid, becoming the first to reach that milestone with the club and just the seventh to do so with any team.
Madrid’s firepower is terrifying. Vinícius Jr., Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, and the soon-to-be Galáctico Kylian Mbappé all featured in their last league outing, keeping them sharp for the high-stakes derby. Injuries persist, with Dani Ceballos, Dani Carvajal, and Éder Militão sidelined, but Antonio Rüdiger and Thibaut Courtois should be fit to return. Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, and Ferland Mendy are also expected to slot back in, while Bellingham’s return from suspension means Brahim Díaz may cruelly miss out—despite his heroics last week.
The stage is set. Atlético is desperate to turn the tide, but Madrid, the kings of European football, rarely let a lead slip. Can they shut the door on their city rivals once and for all?
REAL MADRID predicted lineup vs ATLÉTICO MADRID: Courtois (GK); Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Tchouameni, Camavinga; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vini Jr; Mbappe.
Real Madrid holds an iron grip over their city rivals when it comes to European competition. They have never lost a knockout tie to Atlético, breaking Rojiblanco hearts on the grandest stage—not once, but twice—in Champions League finals. Now, they stand as favorites to crush Atleti’s dreams once more.
But this isn’t over. The 2-1 lead is slimmer than Carlo Ancelotti would have hoped, and there’s no doubt that Madrid will be tested to their limits under the roaring Metropolitano lights. Atlético will throw everything they have at them, and there will be moments of chaos, moments of suffering.
Yet, if history has taught us anything, it’s that Real Madrid always finds a way.
Prediction: Draw & both teams to score.
