Who: Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid
Content: La Liga
Location: Santiago Bernabeau, Madrid, Spain
When: Sunday, March 22nd, 9pm (20:00 GMT)
How to follow: Get everything ready on Al Jazeera Sports from 17:00 GMT ahead of the live text commentary stream.
Madrid host rivals Atlético at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday as they aim for a close battle with champions Barcelona, who currently hold a four-point lead.
Recommended stories
list of 4 itemsend of list
If Barcelona win against Rayo Vallecano in the early hours of Sunday, Los Blancos will be seven points clear of the summit.
Alvaro Arbeloa’s Madrid side finished tied with Manchester City in the last 16 of the Champions League, but their two wins sent them into the last 16 of the Champions League, which could be a turning point in a season hampered by uncertainty.
Before the win against City, Madrid had been in a slump after losing consecutive league games to Osasuna and Getafe.
Madrid will be looking to avenge their 5-2 defeat to Atlético in their first league match at the Metropolitano Stadium in September, and will want Atlético to focus on the cup competition, their main chance of winning this season.
A top-four spot is virtually guaranteed for Atlético, who sit third in La Liga, 13 points behind fifth-placed Real Betis.
Atlético, who will face Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final, have also advanced to the last eight of the Champions League by defeating Tottenham Hotspur.
Finally to Madrid
Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior scored twice as the Spanish team easily advanced to the Champions League quarter-finals with a 5-1 aggregate victory as they defeated Manchester City 2-1 in a 10-a-side match at the Etihad Stadium.
Vinicius put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute after VAR ruled that Bernardo Silva’s shot had been cleared on the line. This decision reduced the City to 10 men, making the already difficult mission seem impossible.
However, Josep Guardiola’s City did not wave the white flag and Erling Haaland leveled the score in the 41st minute when he tapped in Jeremy Doku’s pass from close range.
After second-half goals from City’s Doc and Rayan Ait Nouri and Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde and Vinicius, Vinicius made it two with the final kick of the match from the edge of the six-yard box in the 93rd minute.
Vinicius’ goal was a response to fans of the Premier League team mocking him with banners, referring to Rodri beating Brazilian Vinicius to win the Ballon d’Or last season.
“Football is good for that. It always gives you another chance,” Vinicius said.
Arbeloa soaks in the “happiness and joy” of victory
Madrid defeated City and advanced to the quarter-finals, where they will face Barcelona.
After the game, Arbeloa said, “It was a really tough draw against a team with this much talent.” “There is happiness, there is joy because of the performance, and it continues.”
Asked about beating Guardiola, Arbeloa deflected praise to his players.
“I would not dare to say that we can beat Pep Guardiola tactically. He is an elite manager, he has won thousands of trophies in his career and the one we won was a draw,” he said. “I believe (the players) deserve recognition for their efforts.”
Finally at Atlético
Atlético Madrid stopped Tottenham from an epic Champions League exit and reached the quarter-finals despite losing 3-2 in the second leg of the last 16 on Wednesday.
Diego Simeone’s side fell behind three times in north London but did well enough to advance with a total of seven wins and five losses.
Tottenham took the lead in the first half with a goal from Randall Kolo Muani, and Julian Alvarez equalized just after the break.
Xavi Simmons’ goal gave Tottenham a glimmer of hope, but David Hanko’s equalizer ended any chance of a stunning comeback.
Simmons’ stoppage-time penalty came too late for Tottenham to complete their mission impossible.
Director Simeone: “The numbers tell it all”
“The numbers speak for themselves,” Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone said after leading his side to the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the eighth time in 13 seasons.
“Sometimes you don’t need to say anything. The numbers speak for themselves,” Simeone told reporters.
“It’s a happy moment for both the club and the team, as well as the joy of the fans who are celebrating our step towards the quarter-finals.
“When we get here, the road is going to be tough, just like the previous situation that got us to the final.”
direct confrontation
Real Madrid and Atlético have played each other 242 times, with Real Madrid winning 124, Atlético winning 60 and 58 ending in a draw.
The last time the two clubs met in La Liga, in September 2025, Atlético defeated Madrid 5-2.
In fact, Atlético are unbeaten in their last six league games against Madrid, four of which have ended in draws, and they have only lost one of their last eight La Liga games against their rivals.
The last meeting between the two sides in the competition was in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final in January, with Madrid winning 2-1 with goals from Federico Valverde and Rodrygo.
Real Madrid team news
Kylian Mbappé returned from a knee injury as a substitute in the second leg against City and is expected to start alongside Vinicius Junior up front.
Madrid’s biggest absence may be goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. He picked up a muscle injury against City in midweek and will be out for around six weeks. Andriy Lunin will be filling in for the big Belgian goalkeeper.
Eder Militao, Dani Ceballos and Rodrygo were also absent due to injury. However, Alvaro Carreras, Ferland Mendy, David Alaba and Raul Asensio could all be available if they recover from their problems.
Jude Bellingham has recovered from a hamstring injury and is back in full training and could be on the bench.
Expected starting lineup:
Lunin (goalkeeper); Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huysen, Carreras. Camavinga, Choameni, Valverde. Gular; Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
Atletico Madrid team news
Pablo Barrios and Rodrigo Mendoza are out due to injury, while goalkeeper Jan Oblak is doubtful due to a hip problem, with Juan Musso likely to start.
Defender Marc Poubil also missed the midweek game against Spurs due to a rib injury and is also doubtful for a call-up to Spain’s national team ahead of the next international break.
Expected starting lineup:
Musso (goalkeeper); Molina, Pabil, Hanko, Ruggeri. Simeone, Llorente, Cardoso, Lookman. Alvarez Sorlos
