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![Real Madrid's Toni Kroos, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League group D soccer match between Real Madrid and Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021. (AP Photo / Bernat Armangue)](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IEFW6UY3OGY2M2F6CRRECF7QWI.jpg?smart=true&auth=6248c11fc8ec2e5a7492c723363c7dcbf1c6764377f25722ba3afd9a91ade732&width=400&height=225)
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Spanish clubs struggle in Europe as Real and Atletico prepare for Madrid derby battle
While Ancelotti and Simeone's sides are through to Champions League knockout stage, neither club look on same level as English sides
![Ian Hawkey](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F96f52b9a-4555-4c17-8cff-6fc2526824d5.png?smart=true&auth=687abaf05f4cc86a26f3998a06318c496c949aa829c6b4f450a8511e4a3a5557&width=70&height=70)
Ian Hawkey
December 10, 2021
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