CELTIC players have the chance to make history in the Spanish capital this evening.
Atletico Madrid are the team the Hoops have faced most in European competition without ever winning – an uninspired sequence consisting of seven games, three draws and four defeats.
Brendan Rodgers’ men were on the brink of the breakthrough at Parkhead 13 days ago when they led 2-1 through goals from Kyogo Furuhashi and Luis Palma in their dramatic Champions League Group E encounter.
Unfortunately, their hopes were scuppered when Alvaro Morata dived to head the equaliser past the stranded Joe Hart.
HEADING FOR A FALL… James Forrest stumbles as he challenges two Atletico players for possession in Celtic’s 2-0 loss in Madrid in September 2011.
The dismal run kicked off in the infamous brawl in Glasgow in 1974 when the Spaniards had three players sent off in a goalless draw. They won 2-0 in the return.
The sides locked horns again in the Cup-Winners’ Cup in 1985/86 where Davie Hay’s men went out 3-2 on aggregate after drawing 1-1 in Madrid and losing 2-1 at home.
In 2011, Neil Lennon was in charge as the team lost both Europa League ties, 1-0 at Parkhead and 2-0 away.
In front of a partisan crowd at the Metropolitano Stadium, this is a night designed for heroes in the green-and-white hoops.
* DON’T miss the unbeatable match report from Atletico Madrid v Celtic this evening – only in your champion CQN.