Real Madrid vs Atletico lineups: Confirmed team news, predicted XIs and injury latest for Champions League

Evening Standard

·3 marzo 2025

Real Madrid vs Atletico lineups: Confirmed team news, predicted XIs and injury latest for Champions League

Both managers are expected to make changes after conflicting results at the weekend

Real Madrid will be without the suspended Jude Bellingham for Tuesday night’s Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid.

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Bellingham misses the round of 16 first-leg meeting at the Santiago Bernabeu after picking up his third yellow card of the season during the 3-1 win over Manchester City in the playoff round last month.

In addition, fellow midfielder Dani Ceballos is sidelined with a leg injury sustained in the Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg win over Real Sociedad last week that is expected to keep him out of action for up to a month.

This does leave the current holders of the competition short of numbers in the engine room, but they have more than enough quality to cope with the absences.

Eduardo Camavinga is expected to return to the starting lineup alongside Aurelien Tchouameni, whilst captain Luka Modric could get another runout, though Arda Guler and Brahim Diaz are alternative options.

Federico Valverde missed Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Real Betis, but is on course to return for the big Champions League clash.

The Uruguay international operated at right-back in both playoff ties against Man City and may be asked to do so again against Atletico considering Lucas Vazquez has only just returned from a brief injury absence.

Federico Valverde has trained ahead of the huge Champions League tie

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In attack, Kylian Mbappe is set to start despite not training much recently due to a problem with his tooth. The Frenchman will lead the line, supported by Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo.

Real Madrid predicted XI: Courtois; Valverde, Rudiger, Asencio, Mendy; Tchouameni, Camavinga, Modric; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr.

Injured: Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal, Dani Ceballos

Doubt: Federico Valverde

Suspended: Jude Bellingham

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid are nearly at full strength as Diego Simeone aims to build on the clean sheet from Saturday’s 1-0 win over Athletic Club - a result that saw them leapfrog their rivals in the La Liga table.

Captain Koke is set to miss out through injury, whilst Cesar Azpilicueta is a doubt after missing Monday’s training session with knock that has sidelined him for the last two games.

As a result, Simeone could revert to a similar team that started last week’s thrilling 4-4 draw with Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final first-leg.

Return: Julian Alvarez

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This would see recalls for Marcos Llorente, Conor Gallagher and Jose Gimenez after they were all rested to the bench at the weekend. As was Julian Alvarez and he is likely to return to the starting lineup after scoring the winner against Athletic within seven minutes of being introduced.

Atletico Madrid predicted XI: Oblak; Llorente, Gimenez, Le Normand, Galan; Simeone, de Paul, Barrios, Gallagher; Griezmann, Alvarez

Injured: Koke

Doubt: Cesar Azpilicueta

Time and date: 8pm GMT on Tuesday 4 March 2025

Venue: Santiago Bernabeu

TV channel and live stream: TNT Sports