UEFA Champions League: Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid, team news, time and where to watch
The Merengue team will be hoping to get their Champions League round of 16 tie back on track at the Bernabéu before next week’s Champions League clash at the Metropolitano.
Without having time to go into too much detail, but with lessons learned from last Saturday’s league defeat to Betis (2-1), Real Madrid face the most important match of the season tonight, at least for now, from 9pm. The Whites will face Atlético in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 at the Santiago Bernabéu with the aim of taking the lead for the return leg, which will take place on 12 March at the Metropolitano (9pm). Watch on Super Sport (DStv and Canal Plus) New World Sport 8pmGMT.
The Champions League returns to Chamartín, where on February 19 Madrid played one of their best games of the current season, winning convincingly against Manchester City (3-1). A few days ago, Carlo Ancelotti’s men also conquered the Etihad thanks to a last-minute goal from Jude Bellingham, who will not be available against Atlético due to his suspension for accumulating yellow cards. Real Madrid had to play these play-offs after a disappointing group stage.
Ancelotti will be without Dani Ceballos, who recently suffered a muscle injury, who will be out for six to eight weeks, which could be the return of Fede Valverde, injured since the match against City. The Uruguayan midfielder, who could return to the team, has not played in any of the team’s last three games. A problem that Carletto will have to solve at the last minute, he who in the pre-match press conference had anticipated a very close match and draw.
« It will be a close match and everything will be decided in the return leg. The objective tomorrow is to play well and take the lead for the return leg. We cannot think of taking a big lead tomorrow, it is not possible. « Atletico Madrid compete very well, they are strong and the match will be completely equal until the end », said Ancelotti from the Valdebebas Sports City before leading the last session with the group.
The first leg of the Champions League round of 16 Real Madrid-Atlético Madrid will be played this Tuesday at 9pm at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. The two teams have drawn their two league games this season.
