Madrid Rivals Face Off in a High-Stakes European Battle
The stage is set for another thrilling chapter in the storied rivalry between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid as they square off in the Champions League Round of 16. With both sides vying for European glory, the Santiago Bernabeu will host the first leg of what promises to be an intense and tactical battle between two of Spain’s most dominant clubs.
Match Preview
Real Madrid enter this fixture looking to assert their dominance on the European stage once again. Carlo Ancelotti’s squad secured their place in the knockout rounds after a commanding performance in the play-offs against Manchester City. However, their domestic form has been inconsistent, with just one win in their last five La Liga matches, including a recent 2-1 defeat to Real Betis.
Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, have displayed resilience and efficiency this season. Diego Simeone’s men comfortably advanced to the last 16 after a strong group-stage campaign and come into this clash following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Athletic Club. They have proven to be a difficult side to break down and will look to capitalize on Real Madrid’s recent struggles.
While both teams remain in the hunt for the La Liga title, they currently trail Barcelona in the standings, making this Champions League fixture even more critical for their respective seasons.
Head-to-Head & Recent Form
Last Five Meetings (All Competitions):
Recent Results:
Real Madrid:
- Real Betis 2-1 Real Madrid – 01/03/25
- Real Sociedad 0-1 Real Madrid – 26/02/25
- Real Madrid 2-0 Girona – 23/02/25
- Real Madrid 3-1 Man City – 19/02/25
- Osasuna 1-1 Real Madrid – 15/02/25
Atletico Madrid:
- Atletico Madrid 1-0 Athletic Club – 01/03/25
- Barcelona 4-4 Atletico Madrid – 25/02/25
- Valencia 0-3 Atletico Madrid – 22/02/25
- Atletico Madrid 1-1 Celta Vigo – 15/02/25
- Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid – 08/02/25
Match Details & How to Watch
- Location: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain
- Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025
- Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
- Referee: Clement Turpin (FRA)
- Where to Watch:
- UK: TNT Sports 1, Discovery+
- US: Paramount+, TUDN, ViX, Univision
- Canada: DAZN Canada
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Los Blancos will be without Jude Bellingham, who is suspended due to yellow card accumulation in the competition. In his absence, Brahim Diaz is expected to maintain his position on the right side of midfield.
Federico Valverde, dealing with a minor hamstring issue, is likely to return and may be deployed as a makeshift right-back. The defensive line remains a concern for Ancelotti, with David Alaba out for the season and several other key defenders unavailable. Raul Asencio is expected to partner Antonio Rudiger in central defense.
Predicted Lineup (4-4-2):
Courtois; Valverde, Rudiger, Asencio, Mendy; Brahim, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Rodrygo; Vinicius, Mbappe
Diego Simeone will be without experienced figures Cesar Azpilicueta and Koke, both sidelined due to injuries. Julian Alvarez, fresh off scoring the winner against Athletic Club, is set to start in place of Alexander Sorloth. Marcos Llorente and Jose Gimenez are also expected to return to the starting XI.
Predicted Lineup (4-4-2):
Oblak; Llorente, Gimenez, Le Normand, Galan; Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Gallagher; Alvarez, Griezmann
Match Prediction
Real Madrid’s pedigree in the Champions League makes them favorites, especially on home soil. However, Atletico’s well-drilled defensive structure and counter-attacking prowess will pose a serious threat. The absence of Bellingham could limit Madrid’s attacking fluency, but with Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. leading the line, Ancelotti’s side still has the firepower to break through.
Atletico will likely adopt a compact defensive shape, seeking to frustrate Madrid and exploit spaces in transition. Given their recent form and ability to perform in high-pressure matches, expect a tightly contested affair.
