Join the debate at #bbcfootballpublished at 18:56 British Summer Time 14 April 2015
Image source, Andy Mitten / TwitterFootball writer Andy Mitten on Twitter:, external Real Madrid's hardcore in Plaza Mayor before 2,500 of them march to Atletico
Summary
Bale has early chance saved
Return leg takes place next Wednesday
Repeat of last season's final
Ronaldo and Messi level on 75 CL goals
Join the debate at #bbcfootballpublished at 18:56 British Summer Time 14 April 2015
Image source, Andy Mitten / TwitterRecord breakers?published at 18:53 British Summer Time 14 April 2015
Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has once more become the record appearance holder in the Champions League tonight.
The 33-year-old - yep, still only 33! - is currently level on 146 appearances in the competition with Barcelona legend Xavi and will hit the 147 once we kick-off. Casillas has won the competition on three occasions.
Cristiano Ronaldo can also regain a record - he and Barcelona legend Lionel Messi are currently locked on 75 goals in the tournament.
How did they get here?published at 18:47 British Summer Time 14 April 2015
Atletico Madrid topped their group ahead of Juventus, picking up 13 points from six games and losing just once, a 3-2 defeat to Olympiakos.
In the knockout round they beat Bayer Leverkusen on penalties after a 1-1 aggregate draw.
Image source, Getty ImagesReal had a perfect record in their group, scoring 16 times and beating Liverpool home and away. A 2-0 win at Schalke in the first leg set them up for a seemingly straightforward route to the last eight, only for the German side to beat them 4-3 at the Bernabeu and trigger a tidal wave of white hankies...
They snuck through 5-4 on aggregate though.
How do Atletico hurt Real?published at 18:43 British Summer Time 14 April 2015
Andy West
European football writer"British fans who lament the demise of traditional "up and at 'em" qualities such as passion and team spirit should love Atletico, because their hyper-charged, never-yield-an-inch mentality is one of the cornerstones of their recent success.
Image source, Reuters"Real, on the other hand, often attempt to take the pace out of the game, allowing their superior technical quality to shine by playing a calmer, less frenetic game.
"Against Atletico that doesn't work. To have any chance of overturning their dismal recent derby record, Real must match their opponents' work ethic. If they don't, they will be physically smothered and overwhelmed."
Team Newspublished at 18:43 British Summer Time 14 April 2015
Both sides make multiple changes from the weekend as the big boys all come back.
Atletico make three changes as Mario Mandzukic replaces Fernando Torres while Real put all the attackers on the earth in the side. Toni Kroos will be a busy boy. Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez and Karim Benzema all come back.
Atletico XI: Oblak, Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Siqueira, Gabi, Mario, Arda, Griezmann, Koke and Mandzukic
Real XI: Casillas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, James; Bale, Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo
Love is in the airpublished at 18:41 British Summer Time 14 April 2015
Image source, Henry Winter / TwitterDaily Telegraph Football Correspondent Henry Winter on Twitter:, external Vicente Calderon DJ currently playing 'Love Is In The Air'. There won't be when Atleti and Real fans get in.
Real problemspublished at 18:39 British Summer Time 14 April 2015
Last year, Atletico Madrid broke the Real/Barca duopoly on La Liga with a stunning title win - and were within a minute of adding the Champions League title too.
Image source, APSergio Ramos's header dent the final into extra-time and Real eventually won 4-1 to take their 10th title.
In the summer Atletico lost David Villa to the MLS, Thibaut Courtois, Filipe Luis and Diego Costa to Chelsea - but still threaten.
Diego Simeon's side have lost one of their last eight games against Real, and none of six this season.
Are they set for another upset?
One night in Madrid...published at 18:20 British Summer Time 14 April 2015
Image source, Getty ImagesSoak up the sun in the afternoon and enjoy a few Mahous in Puerta del Sol as the atmosphere builds.
Hit the metro, line five - the green one, and depart at the Piramides stop.
Image source, Getty ImagesYou'll already hear the crowd. A sea of red and white cascading down towards the old Vicente Calderon, striding the banks of the Manzanares river.
Tonight, the crowd will be doubly loud, doubly passionate, doubly ready.
For tonight Atletico Madrid face deadly rivals Real. For a place in the last four of the Champions League. The Champions League they came so close to winning last season. The Champions League their manager Diego Simeone would love to win.
Tonight, for a few hours at least, Madrid is the hub of the footballing world. Is she ready?
Image source, Getty ImagesYou bet.