Ahead of the Champions League round of 16 second leg, several players from Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid are one yellow card away from suspension, putting their participation in the quarterfinals at risk if their teams advance. For Real Madrid, Antonio Rüdiger, Eduardo Camavinga, Luka Modric, Endrick, and Aurélien Tchouaméni are on the brink. Meanwhile, for Atlético, José María Giménez and Ángel Correa face the same situation.

In the first leg at the Santiago Bernabéu, none of these players received a yellow card. The only booking went to Brahim Díaz, who was not at risk of suspension.

Beyond the players, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is also one yellow card away from a suspension. The Italian has already been booked twice in his team’s 11 matches in this edition of the tournament, meaning another caution would rule him out of a potential quarterfinal clash.

The risk of losing key players adds extra pressure on both teams ahead of this crucial match. Ancelotti and Simeone will need to carefully manage their squads' intensity to avoid crucial absences should they progress.

This Wednesday, in the second leg of the round of 16, Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid will fight for a place in the next round, with the added pressure that any booking could have major consequences in the quarterfinals.