Atletico Madrid seemed to be destined to be drawn up against Rivals Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 next month.
Los Blancos took care of the Play -Offs to re -end the European City City campaign with victories at home and away for Carlo Ancelotti.
A 50/50 chance to land Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the first knockout phase was exciting script that waited to be written and Ancelotti and Diego Simeone are going twice as much as more this season.
Both league games have so far ended in 1-1 draw in 2024/25 and Los Blancos are Winloos in their last five league matches with Simeone.
However, the record comes in a sharp contrast in the Champions League, with Simeone who won only one of the six games against his old enemies in Europe, including two final defeats.
Real Madrid eliminated Atletico Madrid in the Knockouts rounds back in 2014/15 and 2016/17, but the real low point for Simeone came in the final of 2014 and 2016.
The deceased header of Sergio Ramos sent the former final to extra time, while Ancelotti won his first European title in Madrid and it was a penalty shootout -heart sake for Simeone in 2016 in the San Siro.
Simeone, however, offered a typically candid response when he was asked about the weight of history that was on his shoulders for two marches with Ancelotti.
'I'm only going to answer one question [about the tie]Because we play Valencia in La Liga this Saturday and all the focus is on that match, “according to reports relevant.
'[I’m not thinking about the past or the future] It will be two great competitions and we are ready. “
After the trip to Valencia this weekend, Simeone has a test run with competitions on either side of Real Madrid, including a Copa del Rey Semi -Laatste first stage in Barcelona and League collisions with Athletic Club and Getafe.
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