Atletico Madrid and Manchester United are each outside of their respective domestic title races, but that hasn't stopped them from getting into the last 16 of the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League.
Barring historic runs by each team (and equally historic collapses by those in front of them), neither side will force their way into their domestic title pictures by the time the season ends on May. That means Atletico (fifth in La Liga) and United (fourth in the Premier League) now have the opportunity to put increased focus on their respective Champions League campaigns, which clash this week with their round-of-16 first leg encounter.
Of course, neither side can afford to completely take their eyes off their own leagues given that a top-four finish will guarantee Champions League participation next season. Given the importance of finishing inside the top four of the Premier League, United boss Ralf Rangnick made no bones about whether the Champions League serves to distract his team during a hectic part of the season.
"No, it can never be a distraction and that's why every team qualified and is desperate to qualify for this season's Champions League," Rangnick said .
"If you want to qualify for the Champions League next season, how can it be a distraction? This is why we're playing here and why we're all here working for this club."
Advancement in the Champions League would give the teams another avenue to return to next season's competition, something that Rangnick isn't overlooking.
"By the way, maybe it's not the biggest chance, but there's still a chance, if you win the Champions League you can also qualify for the Champions League [next season]," he said.
"But in order to do that, we first have to make sure we play two top games against Atletico and hopefully at the end of those two games be able to proceed to the next round."
Here's everything you need to know about Wednesday's match, including broadcast info and kick-off time:
Atletico Madrid vs. Manchester United: What time is kick-off?
- Date: Wednesday, February 23
- Time: 3:00 p.m. ET
The match kicks off at 3:00 p.m. ET at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid.
How to watch Atletico Madrid vs. Manchester United: TV channel, live stream in Canada
- Live stream: DAZN
Atletico Madrid vs. Manchester United, like all Champions League matches, is available exclusively on DAZN in Canada.
DAZN is not a linear channel but is a global live sports streaming service. It has the streaming rights for the Champions League, Europe's top club soccer competition.
How much does Atletico Madrid vs. Manchester United cost on DAZN?
- Monthly subscription: $20 CAD
- Annual subscription: $150 CAD
A monthly subscription to DAZN is $20 CAD, and an annual subscription is $150 CAD.
The subscription gives users access to all live and on-demand Champions League content, as well as DAZN's additional programming, which includes other major European soccer leagues (Premier League, Europa League, UEFA Women's Champions League) as well as other live sports.
For current subscribers, Champions League matches are already included in the cost of a subscription.
What devices are supported on DAZN?
DAZN is available on web browsers at DAZN.com and also has apps available for all of the following TV and streaming devices:
| iPhone, iPad | Amazon Fire TV | Playstation 4 |
| Android phones, tablets | Amazon Fire TV Stick | Playstation 5 |
| Amazon Fire tablet | Android TV | XBox One |
| Apple TV | XBox Series X | S | |
| Google Chromecast | ||
| LG Smart TV, Smartcast | ||
| Panasonic Smart TV | ||
| Samsung Smart TV | ||
| Sony Smart TV |