Atlético Madrid’s bizarre record vs Premier League clubs in Europe

Atlético Madrid are two games away from returning to the Champions League final for the first time in a decade, with Arsenal standing in their way in the semifinals.

The two teams met earlier this season in the league phase at the Emirates, where Arsenal won convincingly 4-0, part of Atleti’s broader struggles against Premier League opposition in recent years. Historically, though, it has not been all bad news for the Spaniards when they come up against English clubs.

Recent struggles against Premier League opposition

Diego Simeone’s side are not on a strong run against English teams.

Although they eliminated Tottenham Hotspur in the round of 16, they lost the second leg in London against a team battling relegation. That defeat marked their fourth loss in six matches against Premier League opposition, with just one win in that run, a 5-2 home victory over Spurs in March.

Looking further back, Atlético have won only two of their last 12 matches against Premier League sides. The other came against Manchester United at Old Trafford in March 2022.

By contrast, they have lost eight of those 12 games, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City all getting the better of them, along with Arsenal and Spurs this season.

Knockout ties tell a different story

The picture changes significantly in two-legged European knockout ties.

Since first facing Leicester City in the 1961-62 Cup Winners’ Cup, Atlético have played 15 knockout ties against English opposition and won 11 of them.

Their victims include Leicester (three times), Liverpool (twice), Manchester United (twice), Chelsea, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Arsenal.

English teams that have broken through

Only four English clubs have eliminated Atlético in European knockout football: Chelsea and Manchester City in recent Champions League meetings, plus Derby County and Bolton Wanderers in earlier UEFA Cup ties.

Semifinal specialists against English clubs

Coincidentally, Atlético have a perfect record in semifinals against Premier League opposition.

They have won all three of their semifinal ties against English clubs, including victories over Chelsea in the Champions League and Liverpool and Arsenal in the Europa League.

Atlético Madrid vs English clubs in Europe: full record

Wins

Champions League

• Chelsea, 2013-14 semifinals
• Leicester City, 2016-17 quarterfinals
• Liverpool, 2019-20 round of 16
• Manchester United, 2021-22 round of 16
• Tottenham Hotspur, 2025-26 round of 16

Europa League / UEFA Cup

• Leicester City, 1997-98 first round
• Aston Villa, 1997-98 quarterfinals
• Liverpool, 2009-10 semifinals
• Arsenal, 2017-18 semifinals

Cup Winners’ Cup

• Leicester City, 1961-62 first round
• Manchester United, 1991-92 second round

Defeats

Champions League

• Chelsea, 2020-21 round of 16
• Manchester City, 2021-22 quarterfinals

Europa League / UEFA Cup (lost)

• Derby County, 1974-75 second round
• Bolton Wanderers, 2007-08 round of 32

What happens next?

Will Atlético make it two wins from two against Arsenal in European knockout football, or can the Gunners add their name to the list of English clubs to eliminate the Madrid side from continental competition?

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