Atletico Madrid ‘still alive’ in battle against Real Madrid and history

MADRID – Atletico Madrid stare down bitter city rivals Real Madrid and the weight of history as they aim to reach the Champions League quarter-finals on March 12.

Los Blancos are the record 15-time champions, the holders, and lead Atletico 2-1 in the last-16 tie as well as seemingly holding a decades-long jinx on Los Rojiblancos.

The teams have been paired on five occasions in the competition and Real have emerged triumphant every time.

“History exists, and Madrid’s history in the Champions League is extraordinary,” admitted Atletico coach Diego Simeone, with his side still waiting for a first European Cup.

Most painful for Atletico were the 2014 and 2016 final defeats.

Simeone’s side led in stoppage time in 2014, but Sergio Ramos’ 93rd-minute header forced extra time, with Real then running out 4-1 winners.

Two years later, the final went all the way to penalties but Atletico defender Juanfran missed his spot kick, allowing Cristiano Ronaldo to convert his and chalk up another Real triumph.

It was their third defeat at the last hurdle, after losing to Bayern Munich in the 1974 final, with then president Vicente Calderon labelling his club “El pupas” – the jinxed one.

Never does that feel more accurate than when Simeone’s side face Real in Europe. In the 2017 semi-finals, Atletico lost 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg, but despite taking a two-goal lead in the return, came up short when Isco pulled one back for Real.

In 2015, it took an 88th-minute strike in the second leg by Real striker Javier Hernandez to separate the sides in a tight contest.

Real’s upper hand was first placed as far back as 1959, when they beat Atletico 2-1 in a semi-final play-off, after the home and away ties left the teams level.

However, Atletico’s motto is “Courage and Heart” and with nearly 70,000 fans behind them at their Metropolitano Stadium on March 12, they will believe they can write a new chapter in history.

This will be the first Champions League clash against Real at Atletico’s new home, with their 2017 final-four battle their last-ever European game at their beloved Vicente Calderon Stadium.

Simeone said the first leg was “very tactical” for a Madrid derby, with both sides cautious in the second half after Brahim Diaz put Real 2-1 ahead in the 55th minute.

There was only one yellow card, shown to Diaz for jumping into the crowd after scoring what proved to be the winner.

However, that is unlikely to be repeated in the all-or-nothing second leg, with Atletico fans usually whipped into a frenzy by Simeone on the sidelines.

“If it was difficult (in the first leg), imagine what it will be like on Wednesday,” said Real coach Carlo Ancelotti, aware of the pressure from the stands his side will face.

Simeone’s team were cautious at the Bernabeu despite trailing because they believed that with a tight scoreline at the halfway point, they can capitalise at home.

They did the same last season against Inter Milan at the same stage, losing in Italy but winning the return leg at home on penalties.

“Our fans push us, they give us energy, they make putting in the effort not difficult, and we need them,” added Simeone.

“We are still alive and we may have a good night on Wednesday.”

Star Real forwards Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe were kept extremely quiet in the first leg but both scored as they beat Rayo Vallecano 2-1 in La Liga over the weekend to pull level with leaders Barcelona.

Ancelotti was able to take off some big names including Mbappe, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham, who is back from suspension and set to start for Real.

Atletico endured a more painful weekend, with two late goals consigning them to a 2-1 loss at Getafe, but Simeone said his team would recover in time for their Champions League clash.

“The players feel bad because we played a bad match,” he said.

“We have to try to be strong, united, with the hope of improving our game, and we can’t imagine anything else.” AFP