Seven matches and counting. Atletico and Real Madrid have played one another an incredible seven times already this season, but Real have yet to record a single win after their 0-0 draw in the first leg of their quarterfinal tie. The defending European champions must end that barren run against their city rivals at the Santiago Bernabeu, or it could be the end of their title reign.
Can Real finally break their duck against their city rivals? Read on as we preview this crucial quarterfinal second leg. Also, don’t forget to check out our preview of the other closely-contested quarterfinal, Monaco vs. Juventus.
[sc:Soccer ]Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid Betting Preview
Where: Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid, Spain
When: Wednesday, April 22, 2:45 PM ET
Line: Atletico Madrid at Real Madrid – view all UEFA Champions League lines
Second Leg Scenarios
After a 0-0 first leg draw, whoever wins the second leg is through to the semis. A 0-0 draw sends the game to extra-time.
Betting on Real Madrid
Real Madrid should be a little disappointed that they came away from the first leg without an advantage to take to the Bernabeu. With their squad at full strength – which was not the case in their embarrassing 4-0 defeat at the Calderon in January – Real dominated the proceedings this time around, especially in the first half.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Real controlled 61 percent of possession for the game and peppered Atletico’s goal with 17 shots compared to just eight from the home team. But a combination of poor finishing and the heroics of stand-in goalkeeper Jan Oblak held Real scoreless in the Champions League for the first time in this year’s tournament.
Real will feel quite confident of their chances to break through on Atletico’s defense at home after such a performance. Real have had their problems scoring against Atleti at the Calderon, but they’ve scored in all but one of their meetings at the Bernabeu since 2005.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who’s scored 50 goals in 47 games this season (eight in nine Champions League games), has scored in the last two home games against Atletico.
Real are in a somewhat precarious position in that a scored draw will knock them out of the tournament. But they should also be very confident of their ability to keep Atletico at bay after the excellent showing of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane, whom manager Carlo Ancelotti keenly started in place of Pepe, at the back.
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Betting on Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid were far from their best in the first leg, and have Oblak to thank for making some terrific saves amid Real’s early pressure. Nevertheless, it’s becoming a very common occurrence for Atletico to cramp all over Real’s style. Atletico are unbeaten in seven meetings against Real this season (four wins, three draws), and have conceded just four goals.
Atleti’s first-choice ‘keeper Miguel Moya is back fit from a hamstring injury, but Oblak’s fine performances in goal during the Champions League – Oblak was also the hero in the penalty shootout win against Leverkusen in the round of 16 – should help him keep his place for the second leg.
Expect Atletico to set up in their tried and tested method of staying as compact and organized as possible while playing on the counterattack away from home. They’ve used this formula to leave the Bernabeu with all three points in their last two league meetings.
Atletico’s late second half surge also showed that they possess the sheer physical force, especially when Raul Garcia came on as a substitute, to push Real around at times. Real’s goalkeeper Iker Casillas didn’t look particularly comfortable in one or two instances.
Look for Atletico to make this game a physical grind, get after the shaky Casillas and possibly sneak an away goal from a patented set piece. 26 of Atletico’s goals this season have come from set pieces, an impressive amount.
Writer’s Prediction
Atletico oust the champions with a very tight 2-1 win.
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