Champions League: Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid match preview

A look ahead to this week’s Champions League quarter-final second leg

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates during Real Madrid's win over Granada (GETTY IMAGES)

For all the flair, fluidity and blistering pace both Madrid sides boast in their respective arsenals, last week’s quarter-final clash was an exhibition in defensive master class. Diego Godin, Jan Oblak and Raphaël Varane had inspired performances on opposing teams and were largely responsible for the tie playing out as a goalless stalemate.

With the deadlock unbroken the balance shifts into Atletico’s favour, entering the Bernabeu on Wednesday night with the reassurance of the away goal advantage should they manage to find the Real net.

In a replay of last year’s Lisbon final, Atletico will be eager to make amends after having victory snatched from their grasps following a Sergio Ramos header deep into added time. Los Rojiblancos have been on fine form and have not lost since late February, when they fell short to Bayer Leverkusen in their first leg, last 16 match on the European stage.

Last Saturday’s 2-1 La Liga victory over Deportivo La Coruña will act as the perfect spoonful of confidence for Diego Simeone’s men, who will also be buoyed by the sharp form of French forward Antoine Griezmann.

While main striker Mario Mandžukić is a doubt for the tie with an ankle injury, Atleti are able to call upon home-grown hero Fernando Torres. It took Torres only 49 seconds in his emotional comeback to register against Real in the Copa Del Rey back in January, and it could be a case of cometh the hour cometh the man once again for El Nino and his boyhood club.

Atletico have had the edge over Real in recent meetings (GETTY IMAGES)

Eager to build upon their historic ‘La Decima’, Real have injury worries of their own. Luka Modric is expected to be out with a leg injury while Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale look like potential doubts. Once again onus will be on Ballon D’or winner Cristiano Ronaldo to fire the Galacticos through to the semi-final stage. Tied second with Lionel Messi for goals scored in this season’s Champions League, the Portuguese will no doubt be looking to extend his own personal accolades while putting his club a step closer to the retention of one of football’s biggest prizes.

KICK-OFF: Wednesday, 19.45

PAST THREE MEETINGS:

Atletico Madrid 0 Real Madrid 0, Champions League quarter final first-leg, April 2015.

Atletico Madrid 4 (Tiago, Saul Niguez, Griezmann, Mandzukic) Real Madrid 0, La Liga, February 2015.

Real Madrid 2 (Ramos, Ronaldo) Atletico Madrid 2 (Torres, 2), Copa Del Rey, January 2015.

STATS:

Real Madrid have had the highest amount of shots on target (69 per cent) in this season’s competition, more than any other club.

Atletico Madrid have successfully completed more crosses (70) than any of their European rivals.

Despite their historic rivalry, this is only the third time the sides have met in the Champions League.

ODDS:

Real Madrid to win – 1.85

Atletico Madrid to win – 5

Draw – 3.8

TV:

Live on Sky Sports 1 at 19.45