Tonight, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium will be the stage for an exciting clash between Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid in the Champions League round of 16. This match is crucial for both teams as they seek to advance in Europe's most prestigious competition. Real Madrid arrives with the need to redeem themselves after the recent defeat against Betis, while Atlético is experiencing a sweet moment in recent months.
The team led by Carlo Ancelotti comes from suffering a defeat that has caused some doubts about their recent performance. However, last week they achieved a resounding victory against Manchester City, showing their ability to prevail against high-level opponents. Meanwhile, Atlético has maintained a positive streak of results, with Julián Álvarez standing out as a key piece in the red-and-white attack.
A Season With a Plague of Injuries
Injuries have been a constant concern for Carlo Ancelotti throughout the season. Currently, Real Madrid faces the absence of key players in their tactical scheme. Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão are out of action due to long-term injuries, which weakens Madrid's defensive line.
In addition to these absences, the midfield is also affected by Bellingham's suspension, a key piece for Madrid. These absences force Ancelotti to rethink his strategy and seek alternatives to maintain solidity in the center of the field.
More Doubts in Real Madrid: Camavinga and Brahim, in Doubt
To the already mentioned absences are added the recent uncertainties of Brahim Díaz and Eduardo Camavinga. According to José Félix Díaz, Brahim suffered muscle discomfort during the last match, which could leave him out of the squad for tonight's game. On the other hand, Camavinga has a muscle injury in his back that also jeopardizes his participation tonight.
These two new absences represent an additional challenge for Ancelotti, as both have been essential in the rotation and bring freshness to the midfield. The absence of Camavinga, in particular, would limit options in the midfield, while Brahim's absence reduces creativity in the final third of the field in the absence of Bellingham.
The accumulation of injuries and suspensions forces the Italian coach to restructure his line-up for the clash against Atlético de Madrid. The defense, weakened by the absences of Carvajal and Militão, might have tactical adjustments to cover these absences. In the midfield, the lack of Bellingham limits options for ball control and distribution.