Match Overview
| Category | Details |
| Competition | UEFA Champions League 2025-26 Playoff 2nd Leg |
| Date & Time | February 25, 2026 (Wed) 02:45 KST |
| Venue | Riyadh Air Metropolitano (Madrid, Spain) |
| 1st Leg Result | Club Brugge 3 - 3 Atletico Madrid |
| Broadcast | SPOTV NOW |
The Champions League 2025-26 playoff 2nd leg between Atletico Madrid and Club Brugge KV — a do-or-die clash — takes place tomorrow in the early hours in Madrid.
After a thrilling 3-3 draw with six goals in the first leg, the second leg has become a true winner-takes-all showdown.
Under the current rules, which have abolished the away goals rule, if the aggregate score is level, the match will go to extra time and a penalty shootout.
Playing at home gives Atletico Madrid the advantage, but the fact that they failed to hold on to their lead twice in the first leg remains a clear cause for concern.
Team Form
Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid sit in 3rd-4th place in La Liga this season with 14 wins, 6 draws, and 5 losses in 25 matches, totaling 48 points.
Their form has been somewhat inconsistent in February.
They suffered a 0-1 defeat to Real Betis and a shocking 0-3 collapse away at Rayo Vallecano, but bounced back with a convincing 4-2 victory over Espanyol in their most recent match.
Notably, Sorloth scored twice against Espanyol, with Giuliano Simeone and Lookman adding a goal each, showcasing the firepower of their attacking unit.
Club Brugge KV
Club Brugge, with 17 wins, 2 draws, and 7 losses for 53 points in the Belgian Pro League, have been demonstrating their dominance in the domestic league.
Their February form has also been impressive.
Apart from a 0-1 defeat away to Union Saint-Gilloise, they have been on a three-match winning streak with a 3-0 victory over Standard Liege, a 2-1 derby win over Cercle Brugge, and a 2-1 win over OH Leuven.
Above all, their mental resilience in coming from behind twice to equalize against Atletico Madrid in the first leg was remarkable.
First Leg Review - A Breathtaking Six-Goal Drama
The first leg in Bruges was dramatic enough to be recorded as one of the best Champions League matches this season.
Atletico Madrid took an early lead in the 8th minute when Julian Alvarez calmly converted a penalty kick earned from Sylla's handball.
In first-half stoppage time, Lookman finished off Griezmann's flick-on from a corner kick to make it 2-0.
However, the momentum shifted immediately after half-time when Onyedika struck a goal back.
Llorente's cross deflected off Ordonez for an own goal, putting Atletico Madrid back ahead at 3-1, but Tzolis pulled one back at 3-2 by connecting with Diacon's cross.
Then, just before the final whistle, Tzolis struck again with a brilliant finish from a tight angle to level the score at 3-3.
For Atletico Madrid, it was a painful result, having failed to protect a two-goal lead on two separate occasions.
Head-to-Head Record
| Date | Competition | Home | Score | Away |
| 2026.02.18 | UCL PO 1st Leg | Club Brugge | 3 - 3 | Atletico Madrid |
| 2024.10.02 | UCL Group Stage | Atletico Madrid | 2 - 0 | Club Brugge |
| 2022.10.12 | UCL Group Stage | Club Brugge | 2 - 0 | Atletico Madrid |
| 2022.10.26 | UCL Group Stage | Atletico Madrid | 0 - 0 | Club Brugge |
| 2018.12.11 | UCL Group Stage | Club Brugge | 0 - 0 | Atletico Madrid |
In six all-time meetings, both teams have one win each, with the remaining four matches ending in draws.
Interestingly, encounters between these two sides have always been closely contested.
However, looking at Atletico Madrid's home record — a 2-0 win and a 0-0 draw — the fact that they remain unbeaten at home against Brugge should offer some comfort to manager Simeone.
Predicted Lineups
Atletico Madrid (4-4-2)
| Position | Player |
| GK | Jan Oblak |
| RB | Nahuel Molina |
| CB | Marc Pubill |
| CB | David Hancko |
| LB | Matteo Ruggeri |
| RM | Giuliano Simeone |
| CM | Koke |
| CM | Marcos Llorente |
| LM | Ademola Lookman |
| ST | Antoine Griezmann |
| ST | Julian Alvarez |
With Pablo Barrios sidelined due to a thigh injury, Koke and Llorente are expected to anchor the midfield.
Lookman, who was outstanding in the first leg, is expected to be deployed on the left flank, while the manager's son Giuliano Simeone will take the right side.
Club Brugge KV (4-2-3-1)
| Position | Player |
| GK | Simon Mignolet |
| RB | Joel Sabe |
| CB | Joel Ordonez |
| CB | Brandon Mechele |
| LB | Joaquin Sylla |
| CDM | Aleksandar Stankovic |
| CDM | Felix Le Marechal |
| RW | Andreas Skov Olsen |
| CAM | Hans Vanaken |
| LW | Christos Tzolis |
| ST | Nicolo Tresoldi |
The biggest blow for Club Brugge is the suspension of Raphael Onyedika.
Having received his third yellow card in the Champions League, he is unavailable for this match, and 22-year-old Felix Le Marechal is expected to fill his spot.
Onyedika was the one who scored the early second-half goal that sparked the comeback in the first leg, so his absence will certainly be felt.
Key Players
Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid)
The Argentine international striker, who transferred from Manchester City, has scored 5 goals in the Champions League this season, reaching 20 career goals in the competition.
He proved his big-game finishing ability in the first leg with a composed penalty kick to open the scoring.
His partnership with Griezmann in the two-striker system will be a key factor in this match.
Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid)
Lookman, who joined from Atalanta in the winter transfer window, has shown remarkable adaptability.
He has scored 4 goals in 6 appearances since joining, immediately becoming a key contributor, and netted his Champions League debut goal for Atletico Madrid in the first leg.
Having also scored against Espanyol over the weekend, he maintains explosive form, and his performance in the second leg is highly anticipated.
Christos Tzolis (Club Brugge)
The Greek international winger, who scored the dramatic late equalizer in the first leg, could be the star of this match.
Possessing excellent dribbling ability and shooting instincts, his finishing from a tight angle in the first leg poses a significant threat to Atletico Madrid's defense.
With Onyedika's absence placing a greater burden on Brugge's attack, Tzolis's role has become even more crucial.
Key Match Factors
1. Atletico Madrid's Defensive Stability Is Crucial
Atletico Madrid twice held a two-goal lead in the first leg yet failed to hold on both times.
Simeone's trademark defensive solidity has been the club's identity, but it has been shaken in this tie.
They must restore their defensive concentration at home.
In particular, they cannot repeat the first-leg mistakes of collapsing when fatigue set in during the second half.
2. The Impact of Onyedika's Absence on Brugge's Midfield
Onyedika, who serves as Club Brugge's midfield engine, is suspended for this match.
As the key player who led the team's fightback with an early second-half goal in the first leg, his absence is far from insignificant.
22-year-old Le Marechal will fill his spot, and how composedly he can manage the game amidst the heated atmosphere of the Metropolitano will be a decisive factor for Brugge.
3. Home Advantage at the Metropolitano
The Riyadh Air Metropolitano is like a powerful 12th man for Atletico Madrid.
Since Simeone took charge, their home record in European competitions has been outstanding, particularly in knockout-stage home matches.
With an unbeaten home record against Brugge as well, they should be able to maximize this advantage.
What to Watch For
Can Lookman's Scoring Streak Continue?
Since transferring from Atalanta to Atletico Madrid, Lookman has integrated into the team at a remarkable pace, scoring 4 goals in 6 appearances.
Following his first-leg goal and another against Espanyol over the weekend, he will be chasing goals in three consecutive matches.
All eyes will be on whether Simeone's new secret weapon can lead the team into the Round of 16.
The Possibility of Extra Time and Penalties
With the first leg ending 3-3, if both teams are level in the second leg, the match will go to extra time.
Atletico Madrid have historically shown strength in tight situations, and this could be a moment where Simeone's experience shines through.
On the other hand, Brugge have shown the same never-give-up spirit demonstrated in the first leg, so this promises to be a match where tension remains until the very end.
The Father-Son Simeone Duo in Action
Manager Diego Simeone and his son Giuliano Simeone are together on the Champions League knockout stage with the same team.
Giuliano showed good form by scoring against Espanyol, and he is expected to start in the second leg as well.
The father-son Champions League journey they are creating together is a special story in itself.
Match Prediction
Predicted Score: Atletico Madrid 2 - 1 Club Brugge (5-4 on aggregate, Atletico Madrid advance)
Atletico Madrid are expected to edge out a narrow victory on the strength of their home advantage.
Although defensive vulnerabilities were exposed in the first leg, Simeone has had enough time to reorganize his defensive structure at home.
The attacking prowess of Alvarez and Lookman, combined with Oblak's experience, could make the decisive difference.
However, even without Onyedika, Brugge's counter-attacks centered around Vanaken and Tzolis will remain threatening, and this is unlikely to be an easy match by any means.