Real Madrid got the better of Atletico Madrid when the teams crossed paths in all the last three Champions League matches. The first time they faced off was in the 2014 Champions League Final which Real won 4-1 after extra time. They would meet again in the following year at the quarter-finals, which Los Blancos won 1-0.
The latest meeting of Madrid clubs in the Champions League was in the finals last year and Real Madrid won this match on penalties. This year Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone is bent on making amends.
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Atletico Madrid have defeated Real Madrid twice in the Copa del Rey and have also won four of their last eight meetings in the La Liga. Nevertheless, they have not been able to emulate the feat in Europe despite beating the likes of AC Milan, Chelsea, Juventus, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.
Real Madrid received a booster shot ahead of this match after defender Raphael Varane was declared fit to play. But Zinedine Zidane will have to do without the services of Pepe and Gareth Bale. It will be interesting to see who Zidane chooses to replace Bale as both Isco and James Rodriguez have been impressive lately and are desperate to make a dent in the big match.
Despite their dominance over Atletico Madrid in Europe, Zidane still feels both teams have a 50-50 chance of winning this match.
"It means nothing that we've beaten them in this competition. I'm not thinking about Cardiff either. We have to win tomorrow's game. We have prepared well and we are ready. Everyone is pumped up and we're ready for the run-in. I wish the game would start now," ESPN quoted Zidane as saying.
"Atletico never give in, they keep fighting and they know what their strengths are. They are very good at getting the best out of their side. 'We need to do everything well tomorrow. If we do, then we'll see. We have to prove we are good enough. We will do everything in our power to win Tuesday night's game."
Apart from the worry of losing to Real Madrid in the Champions League again, Atletico Madrid face a huge defensive crisis ahead of the massive Champions League match. They will be without three of their top defenders in Jose Gimenez, Juanfran and Sime Vrsaljko. To make things worse, Yannick Carrasco is doubtful to start owing to a collarbone injury.
Despite all those injuries and history against Atletico Madrid, Simeone has full confidence in the team.
"I see a match in which they make a strong start. They will try to hurt us in the first minutes with the intensity of their players. We will have to take the match to where we feel more comfortable. Two very big teams are going to play each other this Tuesday. We will put together a team that competes with the heart of any fan of Atletico de Madrid," Simeone said.
Where to watch
The Champions League semi-final match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid is set to start at 7.45 pm local time, 12.15 am IST and 2.45 pm EST.
TV and live streaming information
India: TV: TEN 3. Live streaming: Sony Liv.
UK: TV: BT Sport 2. Live Streaming: Watch BT Sport.
USA: TV: Fox Sports 1. Live streaming: Fox Soccer 2 Go.
Spain: TV: TV3, Antena 3
Africa: TV: SuperSport 3. Live streaming: SuperSport live.
Middle East: TV: beIN Sports Arabia. Live streaming: beIN Sports connect.
