Atletico defender Diego Godin, center, will be tasked with trying to stop a red-hot Real Madrid attack. (Getty)
Real Madrid will venture 10 miles south to city rivals Atletico on Tuesday for the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal first leg. The teams met in a memorable final in this competition a year ago, with Real Madrid rallying in the final seconds before securing an extra-time win.
The teams are in different places now than they were then. Atletico lost key players in Diego Costa and Ander Herrera to high-spending English clubs, but have rallied admirably and are in third place in La Liga. Atletico are undefeated (four wins, four draws) in its last eight La Liga matches.
After a disappointing third in La Liga last year, Real Madrid are in a title hunt this term. Sitting just two points behind league-leaders Barcelona, Real have scored a ridiculous 92 goals in 31 league games. Despite the gap between the two teams in the table, Atletico did the double over their rivals this season, including securing a 4-0 rout at the Calderon.
Over the weekend, Real Madrid comfortably beat Eibar 3-0 while Atletico drew 2-2 away at Malaga. To get to this round, Real Madrid survived a shaky second-leg performance to defeat Schalke, while Atletico Madrid defeated Bayer Leverkusen in a penalty shootout.
The Basics
Who:
Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid
What:
Champions League quarterfinal first leg
When:
Tuesday, April 14
Where:
Vicente Calderon Stadium in Madrid, Spain
Time:
2:45 PM Eastern Time
Channel:
Fox Sports 1/ESPN Deportes; For those looking for the channel in your home country, click here
Odds: Atletico Madrid +180, Real Madrid +150, Draw +240
Stats You Need to Know
Scouting Atletico Madrid
League Record: 20-6-5 (66 points)
Champions League Record: 5-2-1
Coach: Diego Simeone, 4th season
Goals Per Game: 1.9 league, 1.75 Champions League
Clean Sheets: 14 league, 5 Champions League
Leading Goal Scorer: Antoine Griezmann, 18 league, Mario Mandzukic 5 Champions League
Assist Leader: Koke, 9
Card Leader: Gabi, 10 yellow, 1 red
Scouting Real Madrid
League Record: 24-1-6 (73 points)
Champions League Record: 7-1-0
Coach: Carlo Ancelotti, 2nd season
Goals Per Game: 2.96 league, 2.6 Champions League
Clean Sheets: 14 league, 5 Champions League
Leading Goal Scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo, 38 league, 8 Champions League
Assist Leader: Cristiano Ronaldo, 12
Card Leader: Sergio Ramos, 9 yellow cards
