Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid face off in a high-stakes Round of 16 battle in the Champions League. With the iconic tournament anthem setting the stage, this all-Madrid showdown will determine which team exits the competition earlier than expected.

Real Madrid’s struggles in the group stage forced them into a playoff, where they eliminated Manchester City with a commanding 6-3 aggregate victory. However, the win came at a cost: Carlo Ancelotti’s side will play the second leg at the Metropolitano and will be without star midfielder Jude Bellingham in the first leg.

Why Isn’t Jude Bellingham Playing Against Atlético?

The English midfielder is suspended for the first leg due to yellow card accumulation. Bellingham picked up his third booking in the 37th minute of the second leg against Manchester City after fouling Phil Foden.

So far, Bellingham has been a key player for Real Madrid in this Champions League campaign, contributing three goals and three assists in ten matches. His absence is a major setback for Ancelotti in this crucial Madrid derby.

When Are Yellow Cards Cleared in the Champions League?

In the 2024/25 Champions League, yellow cards are only cleared after the quarterfinals. This means players must avoid accumulating three yellow cards, which results in an automatic one-match suspension.

Real Madrid Players at Risk of Suspension

Several Real Madrid players are at risk of missing the second leg at the Metropolitano: Eduardo Camavinga, Luka Modric, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Endrick.

If any of them receive a yellow card in the first leg, they will be suspended for the decisive return match against Atlético Madrid.