Atlético coach Diego Simeone responded to the praise but said his team would be stronger in attack than before the World Cup break, with all players fit except for injured midfielder Marcos Llorente.
“Since returning from the World Cup, I see the team is better, with more attacking options to create threats and working very well as a group,” Simeone said.
“I see the group committed with enthusiasm and we are going to play an important game, a match with a very strong team, with a coach I admire a lot, everything that Real Madrid do on the field and in their shows in the game.”
In the other quarter-finals, Barcelona host Real Sociedad and Sevilla at Osasuna on Wednesday, while Valencia and Athletic Bilbao face each other on Thursday.