Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid was the final of the Champions League last season, and what a final it was the Sergio Ramos scoring a late, late equaliser to force the match into extra time before Gareth Bale fired home the winner and Cristiano Ronaldo added the gloss.
This season in the Champions League, though, one of these two teams will be knocked out in the quarterfinals, and the first leg at the Vicente Calderon could have a major impact in deciding which team will progress to the semis.
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid are always a little cagey, with Diego Simeone's men quite difficult to penetrate at the back while Carlo Ancelotti's side will also be wary of going gung-ho in an away leg and getting caught on the break.
Both Real Madrid and Atletico are part of a chasing pack in La Liga this season, but while Real's hopes of clinching the Spanish League title are still alive, it does look unlikely that Atletico will defend their crown this season, with Barcelona nine points ahead with seven games to play.
So, with the Copa Del Rey also gone, Atletico's only chance of silverware this season is the Champions League, but they could not have drawn a more difficult quarterfinal opponent than the defending champions.
Atletico will take heart from that outstanding 4-0 win over Real at the Calderon back in February, and if they can produce a similar performance, then the tie could be theirs.
"The way I work isn't by looking at previous games -- it'll [the UCL quarterfinal] be a new game," said Simeone. "A two-leg qualifier isn't a league game or a Champions League final. Both teams are very determined and will play at a high intensity."
Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid are treated in that clichéd team vs individual talent aspect, with Simeone's men all about the work ethic and defensive and attacking organisation, while Real have all the stunning attacking talent that money can buy.
In the end, it could be that solid defensive organisation or indeed a moment of magic from a Ronaldo, Gareth Bale or a James Rodriguez that decides the fate of the match, but one suspects that moment will come in the second leg at the Bernabeu.
The first leg will most probably be like a couple of heavyweight fighters, wary of each other, and more worried about making a mistake than showing the desire to go out there and plant a telling blow to their opponent.
"We will play to win but we also recognise that two draws could be enough," said Ancelotti. "It's a very even tie and we have a 50 percent chance. This doesn't change our intention of playing to make the most of our players' quality.
"I'm lucky because I have a fantastic squad. But personality and courage are important in these kinds of games."
Team news: Atletico Madrid: Simeone has a pretty strong team to call upon with only Raul Garcia, with an arm injury, a doubtful starter.
Real Madrid: The same goes for Ancelotti as well, who has called up his entire 23-man first team squad for this Champions League quarterfinal first leg. There were some doubts over Bale's fitness, but Ancelotti shot down those reports, insisting his Welsh forward was a "100 percent" fit.
"He's in good shape, as is the whole squad," said the Italian. "Everyone is in the match squad. I'm lucky to have everyone for such an important match.
"If Bale isn't at 100 percent, he won't play. I have a really fresh squad and if one player isn't at 100 percent he won't play. But Bale is at 100 percent. Bale had a fantastic season last year. He scored in both finals. We hope to play finals in the next months and he will be important, just like last year."
Expected lineups: Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Gamez; Turan, Tiago, Gabi, Koke; Griezmann, Mandzukic.
Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, Rodriguez; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo.
Where to Watch Live
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The quarterfinal first leg is scheduled for an 8.45 pm CET (12.15 am IST (next day), 7.45 pm BST, 2.45 pm ET) start with live coverage in India on Ten Action and Ten HD. Viewers in India can also catch the match via live streaming online on Ten Sports Live.
Audience in the UK can watch Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Live on ITV1, with the live stream option on Sky Go and ITV Player. Watch the game live in the US on Fox Sports, while the quarterfinal can also be live streamed on Fox Soccer 2 Go.
Viewers across the world can also watch the match via live streaming on UEFA Video.
