Confirmed lineups for Real Madrid vs. Atlético Madrid: Madrid derby moves to Champions League

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 in at right-back.

Atlético Madrid, also with injury concerns, will 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.

Line up: Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rüdiger, F. Mendy; Tchouameni, Camavinga; Brahim, Rodrygo, Vinicius; Mbappé. The absence of Bellingham will likely see Rodrygo play in a more central attacking role.

Bench: Lunin, Fran González, Alaba, Modric, Arda Güler, Endrick, Lucas V., Fran García.

Atlético Madrid’s team news and predicted lineup

Atlético Madrid will also be without some key players, including Koke and César Azpilicueta. Diego Simeone 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 was the deployment of Marcos Llorente, who could play either at right-back or in midfield.

Line up: 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 presented a further crucial tactical decision.

Bench: Musso, Gomis, Molina, Witsel, Reinildo, Le Normand, Gallagher, Lemar, Riquelme, Sorloth, Correa.