Simeone s Atletico aim to defy history in Champions League meeting with Real

History suggests there will be nothing easy about Atletico Madrids bid to beat Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League, but manager Diego Simeone said he senses an opportunity for his side to end their disastrous run against their rivals.

The teams have previously been drawn against each other in the Champions League four times in the past 11 seasons, with Atletico on the losing side all four times, most notably in the 2014 and 2016 finals.

Heading into the latest chapter of their rivalry on Europes biggest stage, Atletico are in better form than their opponents and are second in the LaLiga standings, two points ahead of Real.

We are facing a rival that we respect. We know our strengths, we play to their full potential and we will try to take the game to a place where we can hurt them, Simeone told reporters ahead of Tuesdays meeting at the Santiago Bernabeu.

History exists, and Madrids history in the Champions League is extraordinary. Tomorrow we will surely have a new opportunity...

I always put Barcelona and Madrid in the place they are in because of the history they have, but we are pure growth, which is very nice.

Simeone added that the tie was a great occasion for all involved, adding: For the city it is spectacular, for Spain, to be able to have a Spanish team in the quarter-finals and for us who are going to play, to enjoy it.

If Atletico are to claim a win over Real, they will need 25-year-old striker Julian Alvarez to be firing on all cylinders.

The Argentine international, who scored in Atleticos 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, has netted 21 times in all competitions since signing from Manchester City in August in a deal reportedly