How many Champions League semi-finals has Atlético played in, and how many did they reach the final?

Atlético Madrid will play in the European Cup/Champions League quarterfinals for the 13th time in its history.The club has reached this stage in the 1958–59, 1970–71, 1973–74, 1977–78, 1996–97, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2020–21, 2021–22 and 2023–24 seasons.

Of the previous 12 appearances, Atlético advanced to the semifinals on six occasions and were eliminated in the other six. They knocked out Schalke 04, Legia Warsaw, Red Star Belgrade, Barcelona twice, and Leicester, while falling to Club Brugge, Ajax, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Borussia Dortmund.

In 1958–59, Atlético eliminated Schalke 04 with a 3–0 win in Madrid and a 1–1 draw in Germany. It took years before returning to the quarterfinals, but in 1970–71 they overcame Legia Warsaw, winning 1–0 at home and 2–1 in Poland.

Their next appearance followed a similar script. In 1973–74, the campaign that ended in a final against Bayern Munich, Atlético defeated Red Star Belgrade in the quarterfinals, losing 2–0 away before holding firm with a 0–0 draw in Madrid. That pattern broke in 1977–78, when Club Brugge eliminated Atlético, winning 2–0 at home and losing 3–2 in Madrid but advancing on aggregate. Curiously, Atlético later avenged that defeat in a different campaign.

In 1996–97, the double-winning side coached by Radomir Antić carried high expectations into the Champions League, but Ajax ended their run in what remains a painful chapter. A missed penalty by Juan Esnáider at the Calderón proved decisive. The tie finished 1–1 in the first leg and 3–2 to Ajax in Madrid after extra time. That missed spot kick is still remembered.

The next seven quarterfinal appearances came under Diego Simeone. In 2013–14, Atlético faced Lionel Messi’s Barcelona and came through. The first leg ended 1–1, and Atlético won 1–0 in the return thanks to a goal from Koke, advancing to the semifinals and eventually the Lisbon final.

The following season, 2014–15, brought a derby clash. After a 0–0 first leg, Javier “Chicharito” Hernández scored late for Real Madrid in the return. Atlético fans still recall the controversial red card shown to Arda Turan in a tightly contested tie.

A year later, Atlético again faced Barcelona in the quarterfinals and came out on top. Fernando Torres scored at Camp Nou in a 2–1 defeat, and Antoine Griezmann struck twice in a 2–0 win in Madrid. That run ended in another final, this time in Milan.

In 2016–17, Atlético met Leicester City, one of the Premier League’s surprise stories. Simeone’s side won 1–0 in Madrid through a Griezmann penalty and secured a 1–1 draw in England, with Saúl Ñíguez scoring.

In 2020–21, Atlético faced Chelsea and were eliminated after losing both legs, 1–0 at home and 2–0 in London. A year later, in 2021–22, they again fell short, this time against Manchester City in a fiercely contested tie. Kevin De Bruyne scored the only goal of the first leg, and a tense 0–0 draw followed in Madrid, with City defending deep under heavy pressure. The tie sparked debate over Pep Guardiola’s defensive approach and included a heated clash involving Stefan Savić.

Atlético’s most recent quarterfinal appearance came in 2023–24 against Borussia Dortmund. They won 2–1 at home with goals from Rodrigo De Paul and Samuel Lino but lost 4–2 in Germany, suffering a heavy blow after believing they could go far in the competition.

In total, Atlético has reached six semifinals from its 12 previous quarterfinal appearances. Now comes Barcelona, an opponent they have never failed to overcome at this stage in this competition.

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