On the heels of a thrilling opening semifinal between PSG and Bayern Munich, the spotlight shifts to the Riyadh Metropolitano. The “Champions League magic” is in the air today as Atletico Madrid host Arsenal in a heavyweight first-leg encounter.
Atletico Madrid will be forced to shuffle the deck following the loss of Pablo Barrios, who has been ruled out with a hamstring strain. Simeone is expected to choose between the defensive stability of Johnny Cardoso or the versatility of Marcos Llorente to plug the hole.
Up front, eyes are on Julian Alvarez. Despite lingering discomfort, the Argentine star is expected to lead the line, providing a massive boost to the Colchoneros attack.
The outlook is equally murky for the Gunners. Kai Havertz, the hero of the quarterfinal triumph over Sporting CP, is sidelined after picking up a knock against Newcastle over the weekend.
Havertz joins Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber on the trainer’s table, leaving Arteta’s squad noticeably thin. However, it’s not all bad news for the North London side; Riccardo Calafiori has been cleared for a return and is expected to be in the matchday squad.
Atletico Madrid predicted lineup
Beyond Alvarez’s fitness, Ademola Lookman remained a late-week question mark for Simeone. However, the Nigerian international appears set to start alongside Giuliano Simeone, as Atletico look to pressure Arsenal’s backline early.
Atletico Madrid projected XI:
- GK: Jan Oblak
- DEF: Nahuel Molina, Marc Pubill, Robin Le Normand, Matteo Ruggeri
- MID: Marcos Llorente, Koke
- ATT: Giuliano Simeone, Antoine Griezmann, Ademola Lookman
- FWD: Julian Alvarez
Arsenal predicted lineup
Mikel Arteta will lean heavily on January reinforcements and rising stars to breach the infamous Atletico defense. Victor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze are the focal points of the attack, while there is significant buzz surrounding Calafiori’s potential involvement in the starting rotation.
Arsenal projected XI:
- GK: David Raya
- DEF: Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel, Piero Hincapie
- MID: Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Martin Odegaard
- FWD: Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Victor Gyokeres
