The two heavyweights of Madrid collide on Tuesday night as Real host Atletico in the Uefa Champions League.
Los Blancos are the current holders, but they haven’t followed the simplest of routes in their European campaign so far. They missed out on the automatic qualification spots by a single point which forced them into a playoff with Manchester City. The perennial winners exhibited their innate ability to prevail and triumphed 6-3 on aggregate.
Crucially, Jude Bellingham misses the game at the Bernabeu tonight through suspension. The Englishman has accumulated too many yellow cards in the competition.
Carlo Ancelotti’s midfield options are further restricted by the injury to Dani Ceballos, who left the pitch in tears last week away to Real Sociedad. Early assessments indicate the midfielder will spend two months on the treatment table. Defenders Dani Carvajal, Jesus Vallejo and Eder Militao are also unavailable.
Atletico Madrid are one of Europe’s most in-form teams. Diego Simeone’s side have only lost once in their last 26 outings.
Only two players are doubts for the derby. Spanish veterans Cesar Azpilicueta and captain Koke aren’t expected to feature. The skipper is currently nursing a muscular issue.
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid – Match preview and team news
Form
Real Madrid: DWWWL
The La Liga title race is heating up with only three points separating the top three teams – Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.
Los Blancos fell below their local rivals at the weekend due to a 2-1 defeat away to Real Betis. Johnny Cardoso cancelled out Brahim Diaz’s opener before former Madrid midfielder Isco scored the winner from the penalty spot.
Despite their season not going as smoothly as hoped, Carlo Ancelotti’s team are still on course for a treble. They take a single goal advantage heading into the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final with Real Sociedad.
Read – Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Atletico ahead of Champions League clash
Atletico Madrid: DDWDW
Atletico’s current unbeaten run entered double figures after a narrow victory over Athletic Bilbao. Julian Alvarez netted the decisive goal at the Metropolitano to put his side within a single point of league leaders Barcelona.
Like their local rivals, Diego Simeone’s outfit are also in the last four of the Copa del Rey. Their first leg against Barcelona was a thriller with both teams scoring four goals apiece. Alexander Sorloth salvaged parity in the dying embers of the contest to ensure the second leg at home was finely poised.
After losing two out of their first three Champions League matches this season, Atletico won all five of their remaining games to secure automatic qualification to the last 16.
Read – Atletico Madrid predicted lineup vs Real Madrid
Last Meeting
Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid, La Liga, 8th February 2025
The last Madrid derby occurred a few weeks ago with the spoils being shared at the Bernabeu. Only one point separated the local rivals prior to kick-off with both sides having ambitions for the La Liga title.
From seemingly out of nowhere, Atletico were given a penalty just after the half hour mark. In a passage of play that culminated with Pablo Barrios skying a shot comfortably over the crossbar, Aurelien Tchouameni appeared to tread on the foot of Samuel Lino.
There were muted appeals from the Brazilian, but after a five-minute VAR check, referee Cesar Soto deemed the contact warranted a spot-kick. Julian Alvarez performed a ‘Panenka’ style penalty to audaciously give the visitors the advantage.
Shortly after the interval, Carlo Ancelotti’s outfit levelled matters through Kylian Mbappe. Jude Bellingham’s shot was valiantly blocked by Jose Gimenez but the rebound fell perfectly to the Frenchman who made no mistake.
Within seconds of the restart, Los Blancos almost completed the comeback. Bellingham smashed the crossbar with a header from just a few yards out. The former Birmingham City midfielder was put under intense pressure by Clement Lenglet which prevented him from breaching Jan Oblak’s net.
The hosts looked much more likely to find a winner. Another close-range header from Bellingham was caught by Oblak before the Slovenian stopper thwarted Vinicius Jr on two occasions.
However, a typically resolute defensive display from Diego Simeone’s side eventually earned them a crucial point in their bid for the title.
What time is kick-off?
Kick-off at the Santiago Bernabeu will be at 20:00 GMT on Tuesday, 4 March 2025.
Who is the referee?
French referee Clement Turpin will be the match official. Nicolas Danos and Benjamin Pages will assist him while Mathieu Vernice will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Jerome Brisard and he will be assisted by Willy Delajod.
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Predicted Lineups
Real Madrid XI: Courtois, Vazquez, Rudiger, Alaba, Mendy; Modric, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr.
Atletico Madrid XI: Oblak, Llorente, Gimenez, Le Normand, Galan; Simeone, De Paul, Gallagher, Lino; Griezmann, Alvarez.
What TV channel will Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid be on?
The Madrid derby will be available to watch on TNT Sports 1 and Discovery+ UK.
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid betting odds
Real Madrid: 10/11
Draw: 13/5
Atletico Madrid: 3/1
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