Real Madrid travels to the "Civitas Metropolitano" for what promises to be one of the most exciting matchups of the UEFA Champions League this season. Set for the evening of March 12, 2025, Real Madrid faces off against their city rivals Atletico Madrid for the second leg of the round of 16 showdown.
After securing a 2-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu just last week, Real Madrid needs only to tie or win to advance to the quarter-finals for the fifth consecutive year, aiming for their record 16th title. The stakes are high for Atletico Madrid, who must win by two goals to keep their own hopes alive.
Both teams come off recent domestic matches, with Real Madrid bolstered by their recent 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano, which helped them maintain second place on the La Liga table with 57 points tied with Barcelona but sitting behind on goal difference. Conversely, Atletico suffered a setback against Getafe, losing 2-1, dropping their position to third with 56 points.
Coach Diego Simeone of Atletico Madrid emphasizes the importance of home advantage and the support of their passionate fans, stating the team must strive to "make history" by overturning the result from the first leg. He believes the occasion calls for heroics from both players and supporters alike.
Real Madrid's lineup for the match features star goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and leading players including Federico Valverde, Antonio Rudiger, and Kylian Mbappe. For the match, which will be officiated by Polish referee Szymon Marciniak, the team’s confidence is underlined by strong performances throughout the tournament and their historical prowess.
Marciniak, who has refereed numerous high-stakes encounters for both teams, has seen Real Madrid triumph four times against two losses and two draws across nine matches. Meanwhile, he has overseen eight Atletico games with them achieving seven wins and just one loss.
Real Madrid remains the most successful team in Champions League history, boasting 15 titles, far outpacing their closest rivals, AC Milan, who have lifted the trophy seven times. Liverpool and Bayern Munich share third place with six titles each, followed by Barcelona with five.
The match is set to kick off at 10:00 PM Cairo time, which corresponds to 11:00 PM Mecca time and midnight UAE time, as fans worldwide tune in. Coverage will be available on several platforms, including beIN Sports, with commentary provided by the well-known Tunisian announcer Issam Al-Shawali.
This latest installment of the Madrid derby is not just about pride but also about progressing through one of the most prestigious tournaments in club football. It promises to be yet another thrilling chapter as Atletico seeks redemption on home soil.