Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid: UCL Today At 7:45PM – European Football (EPL, UEFA, La Liga)

Share

Atletico Madrid made it to 2016 /2017 UCL Semi Final and will play arch rival Real Madrid.

Reigning European champions Real Madrid will play neighbours Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semifinals.
Eleven-time European champions Real, who eliminated Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals, could become the first club in the Champions League era to win the competition in successive seasons.
The Madrid clubs have met in the Champions League final in two of the last three years, with Real coming out on top on both occasions.
Atletico had also reached the final in 1974, when they lost to Bayern, but have yet to win the competition.
Atletico director Clemente Villaverde said the club were not daunted by facing their rivals again, while Real director of institutional relations Emilio Butragueno said past meetings will have no bearing on the clash.

Real Madrid will host Atletico at the Bernabeu on May 2 before travelling to the Calderon eight days later on May 10.

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane says past victories over Atletico Madrid will count for nothing when they meet in the Champions League semi-final.
Real beat their neighbours on penalties in last season’s final – and had a 4-1 extra-time win in the 2014 showpiece.
“It’s a completely different tie and they will be doing their utmost to go through as well,” said Zidane.
Real forward Gareth Bale is absent with a calf injury and Atletico full-back Juanfran is out with a thigh problem.
Madrid on high risk alert for Champions League derby
‘We can’t rely on the past’
Zidane, who succeeded Rafael Benitez in January 2016, is aiming for a La Liga and Champions League double in his first full season in charge at the Bernabeu.
The last time Real, level on points with league leaders Barcelona with one game in hand, were crowned champions of Spain and Europe in the same season was 1957-58.
Yet Zidane said his side must pass two huge tests if they are to book their place in the Champions League final in Cardiff on 3 June.
“Atletico always gives us a hard game,” said the former France midfielder.
“The strength they have is that they never give up, no matter what happens. They fight, battle, they know their strengths and use them as best they can.
“In the past four or five years they have been a very good side that have improved every year.
“What happened in the past is in the past, we can’t rely on that now. The extra motivation comes from it being a Champions League semi-final.”
‘Atletico hit by injuries’
Atletico’s preparations for a 14th match in three seasons against Real have been badly hit by injuries.
They are without three defenders – Uruguay centre-back Jose Gimenez (groin), former Real right-back Juanfran (thigh) and Croatia full-back Sime Vrsaljko (hip).
Belgium winger Yannick Carrasco is doubtful with a collarbone injury.
Atletico boss Diego Simeone said he was confident his side would produce a performance to make him proud whatever team he put out.
“I never tire of praising these players, they are incredible,” he added.
Atletico, who are third in the table, have taken just one point off Real in two league games this season.

Share
Add a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *