Atlético Madrid vs Tottenham: Confirmed Lineups and Team News

Madrid – All eyes will be on the Metropolitano on Tuesday evening as Atlético Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur meet in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, with both camps releasing their confirmed lineups only hours before kick-off.

Spurs arrive in Spain looking to halt a three-match losing streak under new head coach Igor Tudor, the most recent setback a 3-1 home defeat to Crystal Palace that has intensified scrutiny around the squad. European competition has, by contrast, offered respite: Tottenham’s lone continental reverse this term came against holders Paris Saint-Germain, and progression from a demanding group has bred confidence inside the dressing room.

Atlético, meanwhile, have rediscovered cup form at the ideal moment. Although Diego Simeone’s side have fallen off the pace in the La Liga title race, they toppled Barcelona to book a Copa del Rey final date and eliminated Club Brugge to reach the last 16. Sitting comfortably inside the top four domestically, Atlético can now pour their full attention into a prolonged European run.

Team-news developments have shifted the dynamic on both sides. January arrival Rodri Mendoza will miss out after Atlético confirmed the forward suffered an ankle injury against Real Sociedad at the weekend. There was better news regarding midfielder Pablo Barrios, who trained on Friday; Simeone told reporters that “according to doctors, he may be available Tuesday,” leaving a late decision pending.

Tottenham’s defensive options have been bolstered by the return of Cristian Romero, eligible again after serving a suspension that dates back to his red card versus Manchester United. Micky van de Ven, set to begin a domestic ban this weekend against Liverpool, is free to feature in Europe, while Djed Spence—absent for the Palace loss—has been reinstated to the travelling party. Tudor confirmed on Monday: “Djed is back.”

New registrations Mathys Tel and Radu Dragusin have been added to the continental squad, replacing Ben Davies and Rodrigo Bentancur, and both are eligible. Conversely, Yves Bissouma and Souza were not registered in time and will watch from the stands. Richarlison, omitted from recent Premier League XIs, has been handed an immediate recall; when asked whether the Brazilian would start, Tudor replied simply, “Yes, he will start.”

The lengthy injury list for the visitors remains unchanged: Destiny Udogie, Dejan Kulusevski, Wilson Odobert, Davies, Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall, James Maddison and Mohamed Kudus are all unavailable.

With a quarter-final berth at stake, both managers stressed the importance of striking the right balance between caution and adventure in the first leg. Simeone underlined the need to harness home momentum, while Tudor spoke of restoring belief after a bruising fortnight on domestic duty. How each side negotiates the evening’s tactical chess match could set the tone for the remainder of the tie.

Kick-off is scheduled for 21:00 CET.