Possible Lineups for Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid Today in the Champions League: Valverde and 10 More

This week, the Champions League is back, and fans are excited about the matches to come in this knockout stage. There will be plenty of competition among the teams, and any one of them could make it to the next round. Real Madrid is particularly motivated to fight for their sixteenth European Cup.

Real Madrid returns to the Champions League in the Round of 16, facing Atlético Madrid tonight in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabéu at 21:00. The return leg will take place next week at the Metropolitano (March 12, 21:00). The Merengues have eliminated Atlético in the previous three encounters in the top continental competition (1957, 2015, and 2017).

Carlo Ancelotti’s team faces this match with the muscle injury of Dani Ceballos, who could be sidelined for up to two months, and the suspension of Jude Bellingham. Both are key players in Ancelotti’s recent lineup, with the Englishman being one of the most essential members.

With these challenges, Ancelotti will have to adjust the midfield, and he made it clear that his approach would not change in the pre-match press conference on Monday: “The idea we have to play will not change; it’s the same as the last few matches. We have to consider the players who have rested and may get more opportunities tomorrow, like Asencio and Camavinga. We are not going to reinforce the midfield or remove a forward. We must maintain the same idea.”

From Ancelotti’s words, we can infer that Real Madrid will likely opt for a 4-3-3 formation, with Thibaut Courtois in goal, and a possible doubt about Fede Valverde playing at right-back, though he is expected to start (Ancelotti said he had good “feelings,” and Valverde trained with the team on Monday after resting in the last three matches). Ferland Mendy may play at left-back. Antonio Rüdiger will be at the center of the defense, partnered with Raúl Asencio, who did not play against Betis.

Midfield will be where the adjustments happen, with Aurelién Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, and Brahim Díaz likely to start. It wouldn’t be surprising if Valverde plays more advanced—potentially replacing Camavinga—and Lucas Vázquez takes the right-back position. Up front, there is no doubt, as the attacking trio of Rodrygo, Vinicius, and Kylian Mbappé will return.

Possible Real Madrid lineup: Courtois; Valverde, Rüdiger, Asencio, Mendy; Tchouameni, Camavinga, Brahim; Rodrygo, Vinicius, Mbappé.

Possible Atlético Madrid lineup: Oblak; Llorente, Giménez, Lenglet, Javi Galán; Giuliano Simeone, Barrios, De Paul, Lino; Griezmann, Julián Álvarez.