After an exhilarating round of games in the knockout play-offs round, the UEFA Champions League’s last 16 rounds takes center stage tonight as Europe’s elite clubs battle for quarter-final spots.
It’s a Madrid derby in the night’s biggest clash as reigning champions Real Madrid square off with Atletico Madrid for bragging rights as kings of the Spanish capital.
Los Blancos will be without key midfielder Jude Bellingham, who is ineligible to play in this tie after picking up his third yellow card in their 3-1 second-leg victory over Manchester City.
Fede Valverde has been named in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad after missing their last game against Real Betis due to injury. Usual starters Dani Ceballos, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, and squad player Jesus Vallejo, are all nursing long-term injuries and will therefore miss the tie.
So what will Real Madrid’s starting line-up look like today?
DF: Fede Valverde, Raul Asencio, Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy.
MD: Brahim Diaz, Aurelien Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Rodrygo Goes.
FW: Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Jr.
🚨 @miguelitocope: “Real Madrid XI? I am made to believe it is this, but you never know…”
Courtois;
Valverde, Asencio, Rüdiger, Mendy;
Brahim, Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Rodrygo;
Mbappé, Vinicius Jr pic.twitter.com/PHf8zI8yJ1— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra)
March 3, 2025
On the other hand, Los Colchoneros will be without two key players – Cesar Azpilicueta, and Koke.
Here’s how Diego Simeone’s probable starting XI.
DF: Marcos Llorente, Jose Maria, Gimenez, Clement Lenglet, Javi Galan.
MD: Giauliano Simeone, Rodrigo de Paul, Pablo Barrios, Samuel Lino.
FW: Julian Alvarez, Antoine Griezmann.
The squad list for today’s match 👇 pic.twitter.com/7U7vD7GLXA
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish)
March 4, 2025
Real have had the upper hand in those battles, winning five to Atletico’s two, and another two ending in stalemates.
Meanwhile, their last three encounters in all competitions have ended in draws.