Uruguayan midfielder Fede Valverde is back in Real Madrid’s squad for the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Atlético de Madrid after overcoming a muscle injury that sidelined him for the last three matches.

Valverde completed his first full training session with the group on Monday, passing the test successfully, which led Carlo Ancelotti to include him in the squad.

The Italian coach will be without Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, Dani Ceballos, and Jesús Vallejo, all injured, as well as Jude Bellingham, who will miss the match due to suspension.

Real Madrid squad for the Champions League round of 16 first leg:

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Andriy Lunin, Fran González.

Defenders: Lucas Vázquez, Raúl Asencio, Antonio Rüdiger, David Alaba, Fran García, Ferland Mendy.

Midfielders: Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, Fede Valverde, Luka Modric, Arda Güler.

Forwards: Vinícius Jr., Kylian Mbappé, Rodrygo Goes, Endrick, Brahim Díaz.

Real Madrid vs. Atlético: A Champions League Derby with History and Revenge at Stake

The Madrid derby returns to the Champions League after eight years, as Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid face off in the round of 16. A clash with history, where the 13-time European champions hold the upper hand, while Atlético seeks long-awaited revenge for their defeats in the 2014 and 2016 finals.

Real Madrid: Ancelotti Under Pressure

Carlo Ancelotti’s side enters the match with questions surrounding their form in LaLiga. Missing key players like Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, Dani Ceballos, and Jude Bellingham, the Italian coach needs a statement victory to silence critics.

Fede Valverde’s return could be pivotal, either in midfield or as a makeshift right-back. Tchouaméni and Camavinga will strengthen the midfield, while the attacking trio of Mbappé, Vinícius, and Rodrygo looks to make an impact.

Atlético de Madrid: A Team in Top Form

Since October, Diego Simeone’s team has lost just one of their last 26 matches. With a powerful attack and a solid defensive structure, Atlético arrives in peak form.

Julián Álvarez (21 goals) and Antoine Griezmann (16 goals) lead the attack. Squad depth is a key weapon, with 22 goals coming from substitutes. The defense is reinforced with the return of José María Giménez and Marcos Llorente.