I think people are sleeping on Atletico Madrid this season, they have a solid squad and a great coach, they could make a deep run in the UCL, especially if they can get their defense clicking properly.
It's not that many people don't pay attention, but most people still think that a team like Atletico Madrid is still mentally inferior when competing in the Champions League because there are many teams that have the mentality to win the Champions League. In addition, Atletico Madrid will also face Real Madrid, who are generally still strong in the Champions League every season, so this will still be a serious obstacle for Atletico Madrid this season.
Agree with you. Atletico Madrid have been solid this season, they even qualified for the last 16 without going through the play-offs, but when they are in the Champions League, especially when they meet Real Madrid, they always lose and it is true, as you said, it is a matter of mentality, Real Madrid's mentality has been tested.
Honestly, I actually hoped that the defending champion Madrid would meet the Bundesliga champion Leverkusen in the last 16, but after the draw, they met the Madrid Derby, and on the other side, also fellow German teams, Munich vs Leverkusen.
So Real Madrid and Bayern Munich must beat each other's clubs from their respective countries to be able to advance to the last 8. I myself am still convinced that Real Madrid and Bayern Munich will advance to the next round, especially if you look at the 2-leg match between Real Madrid and Man City, Real Madrid played regularly and solidly, as did Bayern Munich who this season in the Bundesliga performed impressively.