Why Cristiano Ronaldo loves playing against Atlético de Madrid?

Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Manchester United is far from being the expected one for the star. However, this Wednesday, the Portuguese will face one of his biggest victims in European soccer to try to revive the glory days: Atlético de Madrid. The teams will meet in the first leg of the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano.

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Against the Colchoneros in the European competition, Cristiano Ronaldo boasts a great track record with extraordinary numbers, but mainly because of the titles he has won.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s record against Atlético de Madrid in Champions League

In ten games played with Real Madrid and Juventus, Cristiano Ronaldo has five wins, three draws, and only two defeats against Atlético.

Precisely against the Colchoneros, Cristiano Ronaldo won two of his five Champions League titles: 2014, when he scored one of the goals in the 4-1 drubbing, and 2016 when he converted the penalty that clinched the series after a one-goal draw in regulation time and extra time.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s goals against Atlético de Madrid

Below the titles are Cristiano's individual numbers against Diego Simeone's team in the competition. So far, Ronaldo has seven goals and one assist in ten games, highlighting his two hat-tricks.

His first hat-trick came in the semi-final of the 2016/17 Champions League when Real and Atlético faced each other. Playing at the Bernabéu, Cristiano led the home side to a 3-0 win. In the second leg, Los Colchoneros triumphed 2-1, but Los Merengues qualified and beat Juventus in the final.

Cristiano Ronaldo once again scored three goals against Atletico in the 2018/19 edition of the Champions League, but defending the colors of the 'Vecchia Signora'. With a 3-0 win, Ronaldo gave Juventus an important victory in Turin.

Atletico Madrid hosts Manchester United at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano and the match is scheduled to be played at 3:00 p.m. Eastern time in the United States. The second leg will be played at Old Trafford on March 15.

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