Atletico Madrid basically blew their chance to make it to another Champions League final after they were soundly beaten 3-0 by Real Madrid in the first leg at the Bernabeu. They now need to score three goals just to take this semifinal tie to extra time.
But even though they’ll be at home, the chances of Atleti firing in three goals don’t look too good. They’ve scored just 13 goals in 11 games in this year’s competition, and have scored more than two goals in just one of 10 knockout stage home legs.
Nevertheless, they still have pride to play for in the second leg, and will do everything they can to avoid another humiliation at the hands of their city rivals.
Atletico have been a force to be reckoned with at home in the Champions League under Diego Simeone. They’ve won 17 of their 22 home games under Cholo, and are unbeaten in 10 knockout stage home legs (six wins, four draws).
Perhaps more impressively, though, is the fact that they’ve kept a clean sheet in 16 of their last 18 Champions League games at the Vicente Calderon.
Barring an epic collapse, Real Madrid are all but through to a third Champions League final in four years after their decisive first leg home win. But while most teams would be content to play it safe after building up such a big advantage, Real will likely remain aggressive and try to inflict as much damage to their bitter rivals as possible.
Cristiano Ronaldo was otherworldly in the first leg as he fired home his second hat-trick in as many games in the Champions League. The Portuguese wizard, who also netted three goals in his last home game against Bayern Munich, has now scored eight goals in his last three in the Champions League after a very quiet group stage.
Ronaldo got the rare game off against Granada over the weekend along with a good chunk of Real’s regular starters, which means they should be fresh and ready to go for the second leg.
Real have simply owned their city rivals during their Champions League encounters over the past few years. They are yet to lose against Atleti in their past five meetings in Europe, winning three (including both finals) and drawing two.
Real have also been close to unstoppable in the Champions League knockout stage. They’ve gone 9-3-1 in their last 13 knockout games, and have won their last five in a row.
Writer’s Prediction
Atletico avoid another defeat to Real as they hold their city rivals to a 1-1 draw (+220).
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