Real Madrid will host their fierce city rivals Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 clash at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. This encounter will showcase the best of Spanish football on the European stage.
Atletico Madrid secured their spot in the knockout stage after finishing fifth in the newly formatted league phase of the Champions League. Diego Simeone’s side had an impressive campaign, winning six out of their eight group-stage matches. On the other hand, Real Madrid, with their record 15 Champions League titles, were unable to secure a top-eight finish after a series of underwhelming results. Despite managing five wins, they ended up in eleventh place in the league standings.
Match Details: Date, Kick-Off Time, and Venue
- Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025
- Kick-Off Time: 8:00 PM GMT
- Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
How to Watch the Match:
Australia, the Champions League encounter between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will be available for live streaming via Stan Sport. The match will also be broadcast on TNT Sports in the UK, with coverage starting following Aston Villa’s clash with Club Brugge earlier that evening.
Discovery+ subscribers can stream the match live through the website or app.
Standard Sport will offer live coverage through their dedicated match blog, providing updates, analysis, and commentary throughout the game.
Real Madrid Team News
Jude Bellingham will be missing from the lineup for Real Madrid, as the midfielder is suspended after receiving his third yellow card of the season during the home leg win over Manchester City.
Carlo Ancelotti’s squad will be without several key players due to injuries. Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal, Dani Ceballos, and Jesus Vallejo are all sidelined. However, Federico Valverde has recovered from his injury and could make a return to the starting lineup, potentially replacing Lucas Vazquez at right-back.
Raul Asencio could be given the nod over David Alaba in the defensive setup as Ancelotti looks to adjust his tactics for the game.
Atletico Madrid Team News
Atletico Madrid, Diego Simeone will be missing two influential players. Cesar Azpilicueta is unavailable due to a leg injury, while Koke will miss the game with a thigh injury.
Julian Alvarez has been in exceptional form, scoring six goals in his last five matches across all competitions. He is expected to lead the line alongside Antoine Griezmann in attack, with Alexander Sorloth possibly relegated to the bench.
Marcos Llorente or Giuliano Simeone are likely to start on the right wing, providing pace and creativity to support the frontline.
Match Prediction: Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid
Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have been closely contested, with the last three fixtures ending in 1-1 draws. In fact, Real Madrid has won only once in their last seven meetings with Atletico, highlighting the strong defensive structure and tactical discipline that Simeone’s side consistently brings to the pitch.
Real Madrid has the edge when it comes to individual brilliance, with players capable of stepping up in crucial moments. However, Atletico Madrid’s defense remains a formidable force, and Simeone’s men will be looking to frustrate Los Blancos and capitalize on any potential mistakes.
Given the stakes of this Champions League knockout tie, both sides will approach the match with caution, but expect fireworks as the game unfolds.
Zainab Y.
Also on site :