Deja vu All Over Again?: The History of the Madrid Derby In The Champions League
Real Madrid are set to host Atletico Madrid for a Champions League Madrid Derby. This is the fourth year in a row they will have faced the crosstown rivals on the European stage. Will Real Madrid put down Simeone’s Atletico, or will Atletico finally have what it takes to reach Champions League glory? Here’s a brief history of the Madrid Derby in the Champions League:
A Brief History of the Madrid Derby in European Competition
The Madrid Derby has been a bitter-rivalry which has been almost as definitive of La Liga as El Clasico has been. On the European stage, it goes way back to the 1958/59 season. Long before the Champions League’s current incarnation existed, Real Madrid faced Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals. Real Madrid won the first match 2-1 in the first leg, with Atletico winning in the second match 1-0. As there was no away-goal rule yet, they played a final decisive match that saw goals from Real Madrid legends Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas. Real Madrid went on to the finals.
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They wouldn’t meet again in European competition until the 2013/14 season. Atletico Madrid were on their way to making history. A historic La Liga title had been won and they had made it to the Final of the Champions League. Unfortunately for them, they would have to wait to make history in the UCL, as Ancelotti led Real Madrid to decisive 4-1 win, with 3 of those goals coming in extra time. Real Madrid had won their 10th Champions League final since its creation.
They met again the following season, this time in the quarter-finals. After 178 minutes of goaless action, Real Madrid were finally able to take them down with a goal from Javier Hernandez that sent Real Madrid through.
The following season, they saw themselves in the Champions League final once again. This time, it was Atletico who made the late comeback. After a Sergio Ramos goal in the 15th minute, Atletico were determined to get revenge. Antoine Griezmann had a chance to equalize with a penalty, which he somehow missed. It was second-half substitute Yannick Carrasco who would be the hero for Atletico. His goal in the 79th minute minute would bring them level and give them hope.
With neither team able to score in extra-time, they went to penalties. It seemed we were in for a long night. Vazquez stepped up and scored. Then Griezmann redeemed himself with a penalty of his own. This went on for the first seven penalties taken that night, until Juanfran missed his penalty. All of the pressure was on Cristiano Ronaldo to make that final shot. Cristiano stepped up and placed the shot high on the right side of the net to win them La Undecima.
That brings us to today. Real Madrid are set to host Atletico yet again, with both teams being in the best form of the season. Will Real Madrid once again crush Atletico’s dreams? Or will Simeone’s men have what it takes to finally take down their biggest rivals?