Madrid Derby in Champions: How Are Julián Álvarez's Atleti and Real Coming Along?

Since the draw for the round of 16, this match was undoubtedly the most anticipated by fans and neutrals. The history of this Champions League clash is very rich, but for today's classic, which will be played at 5 PM, Argentina time, at Santiago Bernabéu. Who is in a better position?

Real Madrid: in their most recent match, the most successful club in history comes from a 2-1 defeat in their visit to Betis with a goal by Isco, who enforced the law of the ex. In the league, they are currently third with 54 points, behind Atlético (56) and Barcelona (57), and they remain in the title race.

Meanwhile, in the Champions League, they recently eliminated none other than Manchester City in the round of 32 with an aggregate score of 6 to 4 (2-3 in the first leg in Manchester and 3-1 in the return leg in Madrid). Let's remember that the Whites played this stage because they finished 11th in the group stage after 8 matches.

"Carletto" Ancelotti will have to think very carefully about his team to strengthen their home advantage, and although the players he has available can perform in this match, he will have to replace some important absences, such as Jude Bellingham (accumulation of yellow cards) and Dani Ceballos (injury to the semimembranosus muscle with tendon involvement in the left leg).

Other players who will be absent on the Merengue bench are Éder Militão (complete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament with involvement of both menisci in the right leg), Dani Carvajal (rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament, rupture of the lateral collateral ligament, and rupture of the popliteal tendon in his right leg) and Jesús Vallejo (injury to the biceps femoris in the left leg).

Atlético Madrid: the team of "Cholo" Simeone is making a strong impression in the Spanish league, winning a key match in the title race against Athletic Club, currently in 4th position, with a goal by Julián Álvarez who is in very high form. With this victory, the Colchonero was temporarily at the top, however, Barcelona thrashed Real Sociedad 4 to 0, regaining the lead but only by 1 point difference from their closest pursuer.

In the Champions League, Atleti also had good performances, qualifying directly for the round of 16 after finishing 5th in the group stage with a performance that went from less to more and ended with 6 wins and 2 losses.

Cholo will seek to gain an advantage in the visit to make home advantage count in the return leg and will be able to count on almost his entire squad. The only two absences are captain Koke (muscle injury in the right leg) and Cesar Azpilicueta (moderate-grade muscle injury in the right leg).