The Madrid Derby in the Champions League playoff returns to the European arena again! Real Madrid, a 15-time tournament champion, will try to maintain its historical advantage over Atletico in the decisive matches of the most prestigious European Cup. The “creamy” has already knocked out “mattresses” in the framework of the Champions League, including two finals and the memorable semifinals of 2017. However, this time, Karlo Ancholotti’s team has staffing problems – the trauma will not play the data of Seballyos, and the midfielding leader Jud Belling will miss the match through disqualification. The absence of these players can significantly affect the ball control and creativity in the center of the field.

Despite certain personnel problems, Real Madrid remains a powerful force, especially in the native Santiago Bernabeu, where Blancos will not lose in the Champions League for a long time, and the head coach Karlo Ancholotti has repeatedly proved his ability to find the most unusual. Vinisius Junior and Rodrigo continue to show a high level of play in the attack, and Star Kilian Mbappe complemented this already reactive attack line. The midfield should not be underestimated by the elusive and tidy Fede Valverde with his potential universal role – it will depend on him how much the owners will be able to impose their style of play and try again to force Athletico again.

Athletic Madrid, led by Diego Simeone, who has exacerbated in the summer, will try to rewrite history and overcome Real in the Champions League playoffs for the first time in his history. “Mattresses” have not won the Bernabeu in the European Cups for nine matches, but their form allows you to count on a positive result. Atletico does not lose 10 matches in a row, which on the weekend allowed the Simeone team to get ahead of the neighbors in La League, and this series may be key to fighting for a permit before the next round. In addition, the team does not have such serious personnel losses – there are no experienced sesar Aspilikuet and COCK.

Defense stability and dangerous counterattack will be the main weapon of athletic. Antoine Grizmann and Julian Alvarez demonstrate a wonderful shape and can become decisive players of this confrontation – in which there is an additional option with Alexander Serlot with a focus on the game of the second floor. It should also be recalled that Athletic already knows how to win Real in the European Cups-the last such victory has occurred in the UEFA 2018 Super Cup. Will Kolchenros be able to repeat that success in a more important tournament? A tense game is expected, in which one individual moment or tactical course of the trainer can be resolved, although it seems that the fate of the permit before the next round of the Champions League will be decided in the second part of this Madrid confrontation.

According to bookmakers, the favorites of this confrontation are the wards of Carlo Acholotti. Thus, Real Victory in the main time is offered a factor of 1.92, while the potential success of Athletico is estimated at 4.20. The likelihood of a draw is represented by a factor of 3.55. The passage of “creamy” to the quarterfinals is estimated at 1.66, and “mattresses” – in 2,23.

Coaches say Karlo Ancholotti, Real Madrid head coach: “Our last memory of the champions League on Bernabeu is special, and we want to repeat it. Compared to the match against Manchester City there will be many differences. Athletico is a more vertical team, whereas City is more focused on the ball. However, this will not change our style. It is impossible to think about winning a great advantage tomorrow, because our rival is very good, and this duel will remain open until the very end. ”

Diego Simeone, head coach Atletico Madrid: “It is a match full of respect, against a great rival, which also respects us. For Madrid, it is great that both teams will come together in the confrontation, and for Spain – a fantastic mother is guaranteed one representative in the quarterfinals. We can enjoy this point. It is a very important point. We have already been decided in the little things in the matches of Real Madrid – both for them.