Atletico vs Real Madrid XIs: Starting lineups, confirmed team news and injuries for Champions League today | OneFootball

Both Diego Simeone and Carlo Ancelotti have made huge decisions to make for last-16 derby decider

Thibaut Courtois and Antonio Rudiger both start in Real Madrid’s massive showdown against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

First-choice goalkeeper Courtois and key defender Rudiger were both seen back in training on Monday, having been absent for Sunday’s 2-1 home win over Rayo Vallecano that took them up to second in LaLiga and above their city rivals, who were stunned by a late double away at Getafe after Angel Correa’s sending off to miss the chance to go top after leaders Barcelona’s meeting with Osasuna was postponed following the death of first-team doctor Carles Minarro Garcia.

However, Ancelotti has been able to call on both for the second leg against Atletico away at Metropolitano Stadium, while he also insisted that Jude Bellingham’s late withdrawal against Vallecano was not injury-related, meaning he will keep his place in the side having missed Real’s narrow 2-1 win over Atleti at the Santiago Bernabeu through suspension.

It is more or less the same team named for the first leg, with Raul Asencio preferred to David Alaba alongside Rudiger again in defence and Federico Valverde continuing at right-back after his impressive showing there last week on his return from a knock. Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Dani Ceballos and Jesus Vallejo all remain sidelined.

Injury scares: Atletico Madrid saw Clement Lenglet and Rodrigo De Paul both hurt over the weekend

AFP via Getty Images

As for Atletico, their preparations for the second leg have been difficult to say the least, with Clement Lenglet withdrawn ahead of kick-off against Getafe with a knock and midfield regular Rodrigo De Paul limping off at half-time.

Both players were included in the squad and are named in the starting lineup alongside the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez and Conor Gallagher.

Starting lineups

Atletico Madrid XI: Oblak, Llorente, Gimenez, Lenglet, Reinildo, Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Gallagher, Griezmann, Alvarez.

Subs: Musso, Azpilicueta, Sorloth, Correa, Lemar, Samuel Dias, Molina, Riquelme, Witsel, Galan, Le Normand, Kostis.

Real Madrid XI: Courtois, Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy, Rodrygo, Tchouameni, Modric, Bellingham, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior.