MADRID: There will be high-tension, intensity and drama assured on Wednesday night as Atletico Madrid look to overturn a 2-1 defeat from the first leg of the Champions League last-16 derby against local rivals Real Madrid.

Atletico were arguably the better side a week ago at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, but were undone by goals from Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz, which highlighted defending champions Real’s attacking threat.

This was supposed to be the year Atletico finally got the best of Real in the Champions League after losing two finals to their city rivals and being eliminated the other two times they faced off in the knockout rounds.

Going into the first leg, Atletico were ahead of Real in la Liga and were also undefeated in the past four Madrid derbies.

But they are now on the verge of going out yet again to their neighbours.

Atletico have also slipped behind in La Liga after two late goals saw them lose 2-1 at Getafe at the weekend, while Real managed to grind out a 2-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano.

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti was also able to rotate his squad and was further boosted by the return of Jude Bellingham. The England midfielder had missed three of his team’s last four games through suspension — including the first leg against Atletico.

However Atletico’s motto is “courage and heart” and with nearly 70,000 fans behind them at their Metropolitano stadium, they will believe they can write a new chapter into the history books.

Ancelotti said Real will face immense pressure, but backed his players to rise to the occasion.

“The motivation and the pressure will be very high,” Ancelotti told reporters on Tuesday. “We’re doing well, motivated like always in [the Champions League], it’s a hard game and we know it.

“We have the confidence to continue in this competition, which is a very special one. It will be an even game, decided by small details, that’s how [facing Atletico] has always been and it will be the same tomorrow.”

Barring a major shock in London, the winner will face Arsenal in the final eight.

Arsenal thrashed PSV Eindhoven 7-1 away last week in the first leg and all but guaranteed themselves a quarter-final spot.

Ahead of their return leg on Wednesday, manager Mikel Arteta said there were no added expectations or pressure on Arsenal to perform in the Champions League despite their recent struggles in the Premier League.

A run of three matches without victory has left them trailing Premier League leaders Liverpool by 15 points, albeit with a game in hand. They have also been knocked out of the FA Cup and League Cup.

Asked if the Champions League represented their only realistic chance of winning silverware this season, Arteta told reporters on Tuesday: “It’s a competition that we have a lot of enthusiasm in. A lot of energy, we’re very consistent.

“Winning tomorrow puts us in a very good position, that’s it... It’s not adding pressure, it’s the reality of where we are and what we want to deliver.

“We are very conscious that the demands of this football club is to reach the highest level and win competitions, that’s it.”

Arsenal’s Premier League rivals Aston Villa are also well-placed to advance after winning 3-1 at the Belgian champions Club Brugge last week.

Villa are aiming for their first European Cup quarter-final appearance in more than 40 years, but will not be taking their two-goal advantage for granted on Wednesday, coach Unai Emery said.

“The match can change so quickly... The respect [we have] of them is massive,” Emery told a press conference on Tuesday.

“[We need] to follow the same game plan. We are ready to compete, [also] in case there is extra-time and penalties.”

Wednesday’s other last-16 clash is the only one that is level after Lille and Borussia Dortmund drew 1-1 in the first leg.

Published in Dawn, March 12th, 2025