In the first leg of the Round of 16, Real Madrid will be playing its 500th game in the competition against Atlético Madrid, becoming the first club to do so. However, they will face the challenge to play one of their biggest rivals without Jude Bellingham. 

The midfielder received a suspension after receiving a yellow card during their clash against Manchester City in their last Champions League match. Accumulating three yellow cards throughout his 2024-25 Champions League campaign, Bellingham is now suspended for their upcoming match.

How does the Madrid Derby look like right now?

This is the first meeting between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid in the competition since 2016-17, adding extra excitement to the fixture. 

In recent years, the rivalry has been balanced, with both teams winning two and drawing four of their last eight encounters since 2023. 

Historically, Real Madrid has dominated Atlético in the Champions League, eliminating them in every meeting since 2013-14. However, Atlético's defensive strength and counter-attacking skills make them a tough opponent for Madrid, particularly in knockout rounds.

This match is crucial for both sides: Real Madrid aims to maintain its European dominance amid a tough Champions League campaign, while Atlético looks to finally overcome their city rivals and potentially win the European tournament.  

What are the expectations for Real Madrid vs. Atlético Madrid?

Bellingham’s absence puts additional pressure on other players, especially Federico Valverde, who will be expected to step up and play a more prominent role in both defense and attack. 

Madrid’s expectations are still to dominate possession and control the tempo of the game, but they will need to be more dynamic without their star midfielder. The expectation is that they rely more on players in the front, like Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr.

For Atlético Madrid, expectations are equally high, but perhaps even more so given their strong form this season. Diego Simeone’s tactical discipline will be put to the test as he aims to guide his team past a club that has historically eliminated Atlético in the Champions League.