Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid

Estadio Metropolitano sets the stage for a mouth-watering Copa del Rey last-16 tie between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.

Atletico Madrid players will have revenge at the forefront of their minds following a 5-3 extra-time defeat to Real Madrid in last week’s Supercopa de Espana semi-finals. It was the second time in their three most recent outings that Diego Simeone’s men conceded 3+ goals in regulation time, highlighting a once impregnable defense as the team’s weakest link. In an unexpected twist, a fierce frontline has become Atletico’s most prominent feature, with ‘Los Rojiblancos’ stupendously netting 3+ goals in four of their last five outings across all competitions. However, they’re no strangers to early Copa del Rey exits. Before reaching the quarter-finals in 2022/23, Atletico had failed to progress beyond this stage in three consecutive seasons. With Real Madrid, a side they’ve defeated just once in their last five H2Hs (D1, L3), standing on the opposite end of the field, another premature elimination is on the cards.

On the other hand, congratulations were in order a few days ago as Real Madrid ripped Barcelona apart in the Supercopa de Espana title-deciding fixture, cruising to a 4-1 victory at KSU Stadium in Riyadh. In doing so, Carlo Ancelotti’s men have not only claimed their 13th Super Cup title but also extended their formidable unbeaten run in all competitions to 21 matches (W18, D3). Reaching the quarter-finals as they’ve done in six of the last seven seasons, including last term’s title-winning campaign, is the bare minimum Ancelotti will expect from his high-flying side, irrespective of his opposition’s stature. The Italian manager doesn’t have to look beyond Los Blancos’ superb 12-match undefeated streak outside Estadio Santiago Bernabeu (W10, D2) for inspiration. Yet, the last and the only time Real Madrid lost an away match this season was against none other than Atletico in late September.