Past Champions League glory over Atletico Madrid is of no advantage to Real Madrid in tonight's semi-final, first leg between the pair, Real boss Zinedine Zidane claimed yesterday
Zidane
Real Madrid manager Zidane
Past Champions League glory over Atletico Madrid is of no advantage to Real Madrid in tonight's semi-final, first leg between the pair, Real boss Zinedine Zidane claimed yesterday. Real have beaten Atletico in each of the past three seasons in Europe including twice in the final in agonising circumstances for the red and white part of Madrid in 2014 and 2016.
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"What happened in the past is in the past, we can't rely on that now," said Zidane. "It has been positive for us, but now it is a completely different tie and they will be doing their best to go through as well. The extra motivation comes from it being a Champions League semi-final."
Both sides are seeking historic firsts as Real eye a 12th European crown by becoming the first side to retain the trophy in the Champions League era. Meanwhile, Atletico are still seeking their first ever Champions League win and are fired up by the chance to finally avenge their European heartbreak against their fiercest rivals.
Atletico led until the 93rd minute of the 2014 final when Sergio Ramos's header sparked a Real fightback as they won 4-1 in extra-time. A year later Javier Hernandez got the only goal as Real progressed 1-0 on aggregate in the quarter-finals. In last season's final, Real emerged victorious in a penalty shootout in Milan after a 1-1 draw.
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