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E-mail Xinhua, March 4, 2025
Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid go head-to-head in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday night.
The tie will be played in a packed Santiago Bernabeu, with the return leg across the Spanish capital in the Metropolitano Stadium next week.
Kylian Mbappe (R) of Real Madrid vies with Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City during the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off second leg football match between Real Madrid and Manchester City in Madrid, Spain, on Feb. 19, 2025. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
Atletico travels to the Bernabeu after leapfrogging Real Madrid in the La Liga table thanks to a narrow 1-0 win at home to Athletic Club Bilbao at the weekend, while Real Madrid slipped to a worrying 2-1 defeat away to Betis.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti will be glad to welcome Jude Bellingham back into his side after his suspension on Saturday, while Eduardo Camavinga is also likely to start.
Ancelotti's biggest doubt for the game is Fede Valverde, who has struggled with a slight muscle problem that has led him to miss his side's last three matches. Meanwhile Dani Ceballos is out of action for around two months after picking up a muscle injury in Real Madrid's 1-0 Copa del Rey win away to Real Sociedad on Wednesday, and Real will miss his creativity.
This is Real Madrid's third game in just seven days, but the fact is Ancelotti's side has not been able to rest since the start of the year, with its Champions League play-off against Manchester City occupying two midweek slots, while the Atletico players have been able to rest after qualifying directly for the last-16.
