The Rojiblancos also turfed Madrid out of the Copa del Rey in January 2024 in the last 16, which is the only loss Madrid have fallen to in the calendar year.

Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund do battle on Wednesday with both teams conscious the tie offers their best chance of reaching the Champions League semi-finals in years.

Reigning Spanish champions Atletico Madrid captain Koke is desperate to see the crowds returning to the venues in full strength after playing in empty or half-empty stadiums for more than a year owing to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.

La Liga: Real Madrid strengthened their already-commanding position in the title race on Sunday by defeating Atletico Madrid 2-0 to move 13 points clear of the defending champions.

Five goals in a wild second half saw Atletico Madrid beat Barcelona 3-2 to seal a Super Cup final spot against Real Madrid.

Atletico Madrid had 19 shots and, unusually for them, dominated possession.

Russia keeper Igor Akinfeev saved Koke's and Iago Aspas' spot kicks in their first ever penalty shootout to send the hosts through.

Koke, Atletico Madrid's dependable midfielder, has quashed speculation of him seeking a transfer to Chelsea and has pledged his services to Atletico next season.

Spain crumbled to a humiliating 5-1 loss against the Netherlands in the FIFA World Cup, last June. The Spanish never recovered from the thrashing and failed to make the knockouts.

Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke suffered a torn hamstring in his side's 4-0 thrashing of Real Madrid and is likely to be ruled out for over a month.