Simeone senses chance to take down Madrid
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone senses an opportunity for his side to end its dismal run against Real Madrid by knocking the holder out of the UEFA Champions League.
The city rivals have drawn each other four times in the past 11 seasons in this competition, with Atletico on the losing side every time, most notably in the final in 2014 and 2016.
Heading into the latest chapter of their rivalry on Europe's biggest stage, Atletico is in better form than its opponent and are second in the LaLiga standings, two points ahead of Madrid.
"We are facing a rival that we respect. We know our strengths, we play to our full potential and we will try to take the game to a place where we can hurt them," Simeone said.
"History exists, and Madrid's history in the [UEFA] Champions League is extraordinary. Tomorrow we will have a new opportunity.
"I always put Barcelona and Madrid in the place they are in because of the history they have, but we are pure growth, which is very nice.
"For the city it is spectacular – and for Spain, to be able to have a Spanish team in the quarter-finals. We are going to play, to enjoy it."
This will be the 10th meeting between Atletico and Real Madrid in the UEFA European Cup or UEFA Champions League, the joint-most meetings between teams from the same nation along with Chelsea versus Liverpool.
Madrid has lost just one of its past 17 matches in the knockout stages of this competition, and has only been knocked out by a Spanish side twice in 12 ties.
If Atletico is to get the better of it, it will need 25-year-old striker Julian Alvarez to be firing on all cylinders.
The Argentina international, who scored in Atletico's 1-0 win over Athletic Club at the weekend, has netted 21 times in all competitions since signing from Manchester City last August.
Simeone said: "He is very young. He needs to continue in this way, he has to keep developing, he has room for improvement.
"Hopefully his team-mates and the coaching staff will help him continue to grow. He looks full with energy, with the desire to do more. That will influence his growth."
