UCL: It's now or never for Cholo, as revenge on Real Madrid looms

Diego Cholo Simeone pulled off a proper revolution at Atletico Madrid. He transformed a decent La Liga side into a serious contender for the Champions League trophy, coming twice on the verge of lifting it.

Alas, Real Madrid had different plans and defeated Los Colchoneros in the 2014 and 2016 finals in Lisbon and Milan.

The first one saw Sergio Ramos scoring that iconic stoppage-time equalizer, and two years later, the Royals topped Cholo's army for the second time.

Bearing in mind Cholo's character, their clash tonight (11 pm), in the second leg of the UCL Round of 16, will be a perfect chance for vengeance. Others would say 'third-time charm', but for Simeone, it's - a revenge game.

Last week, it was 2-1 for Carlo Ancelotti's team, as Real Madrid supporters raised a banner saying: "We want a worthy rival for a decent derby."

In the meantime, Atleti slipped in La Liga, succumbing to a dreadful late defeat to Getafe after being 1-0 up until the stoppage time.

"I believe in my players, I have confidence in the team. I understand the heart that my players have and we will go out and try to stay in this Champions League. The fans will push us, but the reality is what happens on the pitch. We are not going to win based on what happens in the stands. We have to play a great match", said Simeone and added:

"We are a team that can balance with high intensity, lower intensity, with possession, without possession".

In the case of a victory by a single goal for the home Wanda Metropolitano outfit, penalties would decide the quarter-finalist.

"We didn't prepare for them, but we will practice that too. Training for them is never the same as training for the match. Both teams will prepare well, and the only one who knows what will happen is God," the Argentine concluded.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - ROUND OF 16

Second leg

Tuesday

Barcelona - Benfica 3-1 (3-1)

/Raphinha 11, 42, Yamal 27 - Otamendi 13/

Barcelona win 4-1 on agg

Inter Milan - Feyenoord 2-1 (1-1)

/Thuram 8, Cahlanoglu 51 pen - Moder 42 pen/

Inter win 4-1 on agg

Bayer Leverkusen - Bayern Munich 0-2 (0-0)

/Kane 52, Davies 71/

Bayern win 5-0 on agg

Liverpool - PSG 0-1 (0-1)

/Dembele 12/

PSG win 5-3 after penalty shootout

Wednesday

20.45: (2.85) Lille (3.35) Dortmund (2.65)

23.00: (1.42) Arsenal (4.80) PSV (9.00)

23.00: (1.62) Aston Villa (3.90) Club Brugge (5.60)

23.00: (2.60) Atl. Madrid (3.50) Real Madrid (2.85)

***odds are subject to change***