We are down to eight teams in the Uefa Champions League and the pick of Tuesday night’s quarter finals is undoubtedly the meeting of Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, the two teams who contested last season’s final.
When the teams met in last season’s Uefa Champions League final it was Real who came out on top, 4-1 after extra time. Atletico were in front in that game from the 36th to the 90th minute but after the scores were locked at 1-1 at the end of regulation time, Real proved the stronger and they went on to be crowned champions.
These teams have already met six times this season and Atletico are having the better of it, winning the Super Cup at the start of the season 2-1 on aggregate, a recent Copa del Rey last 16 clash 4-2 on aggregate and they also came out on top in both La Liga head to heads.
Atletico Madrid
Current La Liga Position 3rd (as of 9th April)
Last Six League Results W3 D3 L0
Home Record P16 W13 D2 L1 GS 39 GC10
2014/15 Champions League: W5 D1 L2 GS 15 GC 4
After topping their Champions League group ahead of Juventus, Atletico needed penalty kicks to see off Bayer Leverkusen in the Round of 16. Their strength in European competition over the last two season’s is their home form, unbeaten in the last ten (nine wins and one draw) and conceding only two goals at the Vincente Calderon. They are also going pretty well in the league right now although, along with Real, they have work to do to catch the league leaders Barcelona.
Real Madrid
Current La Liga Position 2nd (as of 9th April)
Last Six League Results W3 D1 L2
Away Record P16 W11 D0 L5 GS 42 GC 18
2014/15 Champions League: W7 D0 L1 GS 21 GC 6
Real coasted through their Champions League qualifying group, ahead of Basel and at the expense of Liverpool. They also survived a scare against German opposition in the Round of 16, winning the first leg of their tie with Schalke 2-0 away from home before a rare defeat on home soil (4-3) saw them squeeze through 5-4 on aggregate. Real hadn’t been firing on all cylinders in recent weeks but they put nine goals past Granada in a league game earlier this month to suggest they are back to their best.
Overall Head to Head Record
Atletico Wins 8
Draws 12
Real Wins 30
Last time they met
07/02/15 La Liga Atletico 4-0 Real Madrid
Atletico Scorers: Tiago (14), Saul (18), Griezmann (67), Mandzukic (89)
Half time: 2-0
Previous Five Head to Heads Results
15/01/15 Cope del Rey Real Madrid 2-2 Atletico
07/01/15 Cope del Rey Atletico 2-0 Real Madrid
13/09/14 La Liga Real Madrid 1-2 Atletico
22/08/14 Super Cup Atletico 1-0 Real Madrid
19/08/14 Super Cup Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico
Summary:
What a game this should be with Real back on the goals trail after some below par displays whilst Atletico are always strong at home. We might have to wait for the second leg for the blue touch paper to be lit and in the meantime, Atletico need to make home advantage pay.
Pick: Atletico to win the 1st leg.