Atlético Madrid to meet Tottenham Hotspur in Champions League last 16

Madrid, Spain – Atlético de Madrid discovered on Friday that their next European assignment will be a round-of-16 showdown with Tottenham Hotspur, the clubs’ first competitive encounter since the English side edged Atlético in the 1963 Cup Winners’ Cup final.

The tie will open at Estadio Metropolitano on either 10 or 11 March, the same arena where Spurs contested the 2019 Champions League final against Liverpool. The return leg shifts to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium seven days later, on 17 or 18 March.

Atlético booked their place in the knockout phase for the 11th time in 13 seasons after Tuesday’s emphatic 4-1 home win over Club Brugge sealed a 7-4 aggregate success. The Spanish club, eliminated in chaotic fashion at this juncture last season, now target a quarter-final berth for the third time in five years and the eighth time under head coach Diego Simeone.

While city rivals Real Madrid were paired with Manchester City in the draw, Atlético landed on the bracket’s perceived softer side. Victory over Tottenham would set up a last-eight meeting with either Newcastle United or FC Barcelona, with a potential semi-final against Arsenal looming beyond that.

Tottenham arrive at the contest in turmoil. The north-London outfit sit 16th in the Premier League table and recently appointed Igor Tudor after sacking Thomas Frank, who had only weeks earlier persuaded Conor Gallagher to make a €40 million switch from Atlético. Captain Cristian Romero, once linked with a move to Madrid, anchors a squad depleted by injuries. Spurs are just four points above the relegation zone, though several players could return before the first leg.

Despite their domestic woes, Tottenham finished fourth in the Champions League league phase, while Atlético stumbled to 14th. Still, avoiding Liverpool—another English club grappling with fitness issues—has been viewed inside the Spanish camp as a welcome outcome, even with the decisive second leg scheduled in London.