Atletico have ‘big opportunity’ against Real Madrid, says Simeone

AFP | Madrid

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Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone admitted city rivals Real Madrid have the more illustrious history but backed his own team to deliver ahead of their tantalising Champions League last-16 derby clash on Tuesday.

Record 15-time winners and current holders Los Blancos host Simeone’s side at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg, having eliminated them four times in little over a decade. Real Madrid beat Simeone’s Atletico in the 2014 and 2016 Champions League finals as well as the 2017 semi-finals, 2015 quarters and on the only other occasion they have met in the competition, in the 1959 semis.

Atletico have never won the Champions League, finishing as runners-up on three occasions, while Madrid are considered the ‘kings of Europe’ and Catalan giants Barcelona have lifted the trophy five times.