Atletico, Real Madrid to battle out again in Champions League

Fate has once again shown its hand in the draw for the quarterfinals of the Champions League as local rivals Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid were drawn to play each other in what is a repeat of last season's final.

Real Madrid won that game 4-1 after injury time, but the fact is that it was just the first salvo in a rivalry which has seen the two sides met each other no fewer than six times already this season.

Atletico have so far had the better of those clashes, beating Real in the final of the Spanish Supercup, knocking Real Madrid out of the King's Cup in January and also inflicting two defeats on their in the BBVA Primera Liga, the last of which was a resounding 4-0 humiliation of Real in front of a delighted Vicente Calderon Stadium.

"It could have been better and it could have been worse," commented Real's Director of Institutional Relations Emilio Butragueno.

"Atletico are a very competitive side and we both know each other well, but the Champions League has a different perspective to other competitions and the circumstances are different. We have three weeks ahead for injured players to recover and that is a long time," he said, adding that Real Madrid would have to "concentrate in every move".

As usual Atletico coach, Diego Simeone was unwilling to discuss a game so far in the future on the eve of his side's league game at home to Getafe.

"They are a great rival, just as the other six sides in the quarterfinals would have been. We have a great tie ahead of us." Endi