Nine in the Champions League and one in the European Super Cup. Now, in the Champions League round of 16, a new battle is brewing.
The European Derbi. And then there were 10. Now on the 11th. Potentially the spiciest so far. So much so that neither Real Madrid nor Atlético Madrid wanted to face each other at this stage. Only Mbappé, enthusiastic to save itself a few kilometers (“Better Athleti … we don't have to travel that way!”), Was now for the matchup. The German options, Leverkusen and Bayern, were more attractive. Not because of the difficulty, but because of the context. The controversy around Madrid's last visit to the Metropolitano. The Word War. The sharp statements on social media. But the draw is not suitable for preferences – only for happiness. And Fortune has dictated that the 11th chapter of the Eurodebi must be written. The script promises to be worthy of Hitchcock. It's almost always.
The history of Madrid Derbi in Europe
From the first, in 1958-59, to the last, in 2018. The only outside the top continental competition. The only one with a red-white triumph. UEFA Super Cup. Madrid arrived Vers of their triumph in Kiev, against Liverpool. Their 13th Champions League trophy safely installed in the cupboard. And Atleti, after he had dismantled Marseille in the Europa League. From start to finish, that game of the men of Simeone was. Diego Costa opened the score and then went right after Benzema and Ramos had responded. Extra time belonged to a Saúl volley and a Koke attack to end the night. A feast of joy for Cholo, Madrid's first case of indigestion in the era of the Postcristiano.
Painted in white
The rest? Always the same color painted. Even though it all started in black and white. In the fourth edition of the European Cup. Madrid had already won the first three and the fourth would come after sending Stade de Reims. But before that, Athleti in the semi -final. It was not an easy tie. Di Stéfano always reminded himself of that meeting as one of the most difficult of the time. And of course it was peppered with controversy.
The first stage went Madrid's Way (2-1) and was fiery. Chuzo brought the visitors first before Rial was made equal – from a suspicious offside position. So much so that the linesman lifted his flag. However, the referee, the Scottish official Mowatt, considered the goal valid. The return bone was all Athleti (1-0), forcing a repetition. La Romareda gave the verdict. Neutral soil, goals from Di Stéfano, Puskás and Collar (2-1) and another title for the champions.
And 55 years later …
There were no Euroerbis anymore until 2014. But what a derby it was. Waiting for 55 years, all uncorked at the same time. The institution: Lisbon. The protagonist: Sergio Ramos. A header for the centuries. Extra time had no room for Athleti. They crumbled after the late equalizer, because they have already started enjoying their first Champions League title after the goal of Godín. But it wouldn't be. La Décima belonged to Madrid. Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano have sealed it.
The start of a erby party. Four consecutive seasons of Champions League fights. The next, in 2014-15, was decided by Chicharito Hernández. In the quarterfinals second stage, after 178 minutes without a goal, the Mexican struck. Madrid stumbled against Juve in the Semis and there was no undécima …
But there was the next season. The same final as 2014, but in 2016 and in Milan. Ramos struck again, Carrasco has leveled it. Atleti came close to landing the knockouts, but the men of Zidane held. Juanfran de Paal struck in the penalty shootout, Cristiano just thought it was. Just like he did, and past three times, in 2016-17. In the semi -final he put the draw in bed with a hat trick in the first stage. Atleti dared to dream in the return bone. Saúl and Griezmann scored in the 12th and 16th minutes, but Isco extinguished their hope for the break. A 2-1 final and Madrid were through. La Duodécima took his place in the Bernabéu Museum after beating Juve.
Now the upcoming round of 16 first leg is fighting. A derby turned into a Champions League classic. Until now, Madrid leads 6-1 in European encounters …
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