Atletico have shaken off their inferiority complex against Real in every other competition under Simeone, beating them twice in the King's Cup and winning four of their last eight league derbies, but not in Europe's elite arena. Real host Atletico in Tuesday's semi-final, first leg having beaten them 5-3 on penalties in the 2016 final and 4-1 in extra time in the 2014 showpiece when defender Sergio Ramos's 93rd minute equaliser denied Atletico a first Champions League crown. While Atletico are waiting to win the European Cup for the first time, Real want a 12th triumph to become the first team to retain the trophy in the Champions League era. Simeone praised his team's resilience after they responded to the Villarreal loss by ruthlessly thrashing Las Palmas helped by three early goals. "The team's response fills me with pride, I never tire of praising these players, they are incredible," he said.

Source: bd News24 May 01, 2017 01:52 UTC