Big Match Feature: Atlético Madrid v Dortmund
Both Atlético de Madrid and Borussia Dortmund have been Uefa Champions League knockout regulars in recent seasons, although they are each seeking to reach the semifinals for the first time in a number of years as they meet in Spain in the first leg of their quarterfinal.
Atlético made it to the last four three times between 2013/14 and 2016/17 but have not got as far since, while Dortmund – European champions in 1996/97 – last featured in the semifinals in 2012/13, when they ended as runners-up to Bayern München in an all-German final.
This season, Diego Simeone's Atlético finished top of Group E unbeaten before getting the better of the 2022/23 runners-up Inter Milan on penalties in the round of 16, where Dortmund – Group F winners in the autumn – edged out PSV Eindhoven.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Atlético wins 2
Dortmund wins 3
Draws 1
Atlético goals 5
Dortmund goals 8
The teams were paired together in the 2018/19 group stage, each recording a home victory.
Dortmund were 4-0 winners in Germany on Matchday 3 thanks to a first-half goal from Axel Witsel (38) – now of Atlético – and strikes in the closing stages from Raphaël Guerreiro (73, 89) and Jadon Sancho (83).
That equalled Atlético's heaviest European defeat and was their heaviest reverse under Diego Simeone.
The Spanish side turned the tables on a Dortmund side coached by Lucien Favre in Madrid on Matchday 4, Saúl Ñíguez (33) scoring in the first half and Antoine Griezmann (80) in the second.
The teams finished level on 13 points at the top of Group A, Dortmund taking first place on head-to-head record.
The sides have met in four other matches, including in the 1996/97 Champions League group stage when each recorded an away victory. Dortmund were 1-0 winners in Spain against an
Read on supersport.com
