Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid meet in a crucial Champions League Round of 16 clash at the Santiago Bernabéu. Real Madrid, despite recent struggles and key injuries, will be aiming for a strong first-leg result to take into the return match.
Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid meet in a highly anticipated Champions League Round of 16 clash at the Santiago Bernabéu. Real Madrid, despite significant injuries to key players, will field a strong lineup, with Fede Valverde potentially filling in at right-back.
Atlético Madrid, also with injury concerns, will likely employ their usual 4-4-2 formation, with Marcos Llorente possibly featuring at right-back. The tactical battle promises to be intense.
One of European soccer’s most intense rivalries will resume on Tuesday as Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid clash in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Both teams arrive for the match with injury concerns and will need to strategize carefully to overcome these challenges and gain an advantage heading into the second leg. The tactical battle between Carlo Ancelotti and Diego Simeone promises to be as compelling as the fierce rivalry itself.
Real Madrid’s team news and predicted lineup
Real Madrid will be without several key players through injury: Jude Bellingham, Éder Militão, Dani Carvajal, and Dani Ceballos. However, they have the significant boost of Federico Valverde returning from injury. Ancelotti is likely to deploy Valverde at right-back, a position he filled effectively against Manchester City in the previous round.
The team will likely line up as follows: Courtois; Valverde, Nacho, Rüdiger, Fran García; Tchouameni, Camavinga; Brahim, Rodrygo, Vinicius; Mbappé. The absence of Bellingham will likely see Rodrygo play in a more central attacking role.
Atlético Madrid’s team news and predicted lineup
Atlético Madrid will also be without some key players, including Koke and César Azpilicueta. Diego Simeone is expected to field his usual 4-4-2 formation which could morph into a 5-4-1 depending on the flow of the game. The key decision for Simeone will involve the deployment of Marcos Llorente, who could play either at right-back or in midfield.
The team could line up as follows: Oblak; Marcos Llorente, Giménez, Lenglet, Javi Galán; Giuliano Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Samu Lino; Julián Álvarez, Griezmann. The choice between Samu Lino and Gallagher in the midfield presents a further crucial tactical decision.
