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
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