Real Madrid have been unable to beat their crosstown rivals in two previous meetings this season, and things are trending in the right direction for another draw between these two. Both sides boast impressive goalscorers and even if the reigning champions have not exactly had the best of seasons, they still have that uncanny ability to come out of bad games mostly unscathed. — Pardeep Cattry
The tides have shifted with Aston Villa scoring two goals after the 82nd minute of play and they were doozies. A Club Brugge own goal gave them their first and then a penalty was the cause of the second in what is now a big first leg result for the Premier League side.
Like clockwork this is about keeping it simple. When Real Madrid is at a playable number to win a game, especially one of this magnitude, you take them to win. While matches between these two have produced a lot of draws recently, meeting in the Champions League as compared to La Liga does add a different feel to this meeting. The usual plays like Kylian Mbappe to score and Julian Alvarez’s shots on target are also in play, but if I’m backing one thing, it’s Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid to win in regulation in Champions League.
All eyes are on Julian Alvarez for this one as he has taken well to life in La Liga and will be alongside Antoine Griezmann leading the attack.
Starters: Oblak, Galan, Lenglet, Gimenez, Llorente, Simeone, Barrios, de Paul, Lino, Griezmann, Alvarez
Reserves: Correa, Gallagher, Gomis, Lemar, Le Normand, Mandava, Molina, Musso, Riquelme, Soloroth, Witsel
The French striker needs to replicate the performance of the second leg of the playoffs against Manchester City when Mbappe scored three goals and sent the side coached by Carlo Ancelotti to play in this Madrid Champions League derby. So far, Mbappe has scored seven goals in ten Champions League matches played up to now. — Francesco Porzio
The crisis of numbers is showing no signs of easing for Real Madrid, instead moving up the field after decimating Carlo Ancelotti’s defense. With Jude Bellingham suspended and Dani Ceballos injured there are still enough quality players to name a competitive engine room, but with an ageing Luka Modric alongside him, there will be pressure on Camavinga to match Atletico Madrid’s dynamism — James Benge
There’s some rotation for Los Blancos from the weekend including the return of Federico Valverde who will be back at right back to face Atletico Madrid.
Starters: Courtois, Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Brahim, Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vini Jr.
Reserves: Lunin, Fran Gonzalez, Alaba, Modric, Arda Guler, Endrick, Lucas Vazquwez, Fran Garcia
For Real Madrid, they’ll get ready for this deby match without Jude Bellingham for the second consecutive match. He missed their La Liga loss against Real Betis due to a sending off but also isn’t eligible for today due to yellow card accumulation. Brahim Diaz will look to shoulder the creative load for Madrid but more will be on Rodrygo today as Bellingham makes so much happen for Los Blancos.
While we wait for lineups in the Madrid derby, there’s already a fixture in play for the round of 16 between Club Brugge and Aston Villa has just reached the half at 1-1. It was a quick 15 minutes to kick things off with a Leon Bailey stunner that was canceled out by Maxim De Cuyper. It’s an even tie so far in Belgium but one that could heat up in the second half as both of these teams can put the ball in the back of the net.
Another entertaining day of Champions League action could be in store today as reigning champions Real Madrid face another tough test as they eye another trip to the final. They will have to go through regional rivals Atletico Madrid, who have been a formidable team in both Europe and Spain this season.
Stick around for pre-game coverage and updates after kickoff.
