Atletico Madrid predicted lineup vs Real Madrid - Champions League | OneFootball

Atletico Madrid are searching for their first two-legged win over their capital rivals in Europe when they meet in the Champions League round of 16.

Atleti came ever so close to triumphing in their maiden continental meeting with Real Madrid, taking their 1958/59 European Cup semi-final to a play-off, but Los Blancos won the deciding fixture 2-1 on their way to European title number four of 15.

It's been a while since Diego Simeone's side ventured into the latter stages of the Champions League having reached the 2014 and 2016 finals (before losing to Real Madrid). There's scope for the La Liga title hopefuls to enjoy a deep run this time around after an impressive league phase, but they must first get by the most familiar of foes in the last 16.

Here's how Atleti could line up for Tuesday's first leg at the Bernabeu.

Atletico Madrid predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-4-2)

Julian Alvarez (R) was Atleti's match-winner at the weekend / Denis Doyle/GettyImages

GK: Jan Oblak - The long-time Atleti goalkeeper is the only player in Simeone's squad to play every minute in the competition to date this season. That won't be changing throughout the knockout stage.

RB: Marcos Llorente - Llorente had a huge impact off the bench against Athletic Club at the weekend, teeing up the game's only goal with a delightful pass.

CB: Jose Gimenez - Gimenez is another who came off the bench on Saturday and is poised for a return to the starting XI in midweek.

CB: Robin Le Normand - Clement Lenglet has performed admirably on his return to La Liga this season, but Atleti signed Le Normand to star on these occasions.

LB: Javi Galan - The experienced full-back hadn't appeared in the Champions League before he joined Atleti, and now he's established himself as Simeone's first-choice left-back.

RM: Giuliano Simeone - Nepotism certainly isn't the reason Giuliano is starting consistently down Atleti's right. El Cholo's son is an exciting prospect who's enjoying quite the breakout this season.

CM: Rodrigo De Paul - No Atleti outfielder has racked up more Champions League minutes than De Paul this season (574). He's absolutely imperative in Simeone's industrious engine room.

CM: Pablo Barrios - The burgeoning midfielder has had a few disciplinary issues amid an otherwise impressive season, and the manager certainly won't mind Barrios testing the officials over these two legs. He's a cultured ball player, too.

LM: Conor Gallagher - It's a toss up between summer arrival Gallagher and Samuel Lino for the starting role down the left. Perhaps Simeone will prefer Gallagher's doggedness over Lino's two-way threat on a night like this.

ST: Antoine Griezmann - Griezmann is so often the man to produce a little bit of magic out of nothing, and the masterful Frenchman has enjoyed yet another stellar season in the capital.

ST: Julian Alvarez - After taking some time to settle in, there's been no stopping Alvarez in red and white as of late. The Argentine scored six times in the league phase and was the match-winner off the bench in La Liga at the weekend.