Sport|FootballReal Madrid vs Atletico Madrid: La Liga – team news, start, lineupsMadrid host rivals Atletico at the Santiago Bernabeu as they aim to stay in touch with Barca, who are four points clear.
## Sports Update: Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid
Sports Update: Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid
Teams: Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid Competition: La Liga Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain Date & Time: Sunday, Mar 22, 2026, at 9 PM (20:00 GMT)
Real Madrid will host Atletico Madrid in a key La Liga encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu. The match is crucial for both teams as they seek to maintain their standings in the league.
Kylian Mbappe is expected to start after returning from a knee injury. Goalkeeper Thibault Courtois is out for six weeks due to a muscle injury. Andriy Lunin will replace him. Eder Militao, Dani Ceballos, and Rodrygo are unavailable due to injuries. Alvaro Carreras, Ferland Mendy, David Alaba, and Raul Asencio may return from their injuries. Jude Bellingham is back in training and could be on the bench.
Predicted Starting XI: Lunin (goalkeeper); Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, Carreras; Camavinga, Tchouameni, Valverde; Guler; Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
The match is crucial for both teams as they seek to maintain their standings in the league.
Pablo Barrios and Rodrigo Mendoza are sidelined due to injuries. Jan Oblak is doubtful with a hip problem; Juan Musso is expected to start in goal. Marc Pubill is a doubt with rib pain.
Predicted Starting XI: Musso (goalkeeper); Molina, Pubill, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Llorente, Cardoso, Lookman; Sorloth, Alvarez
Real Madrid advanced to the Champions League quarterfinals after defeating Manchester City 5-1 on aggregate. Vinicius Jr scored twice in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium, contributing to their 2-1 victory.
Atletico Madrid reached the Champions League quarterfinals despite losing 3-2 to Tottenham Hotspur in the last-16 second leg. They progressed with a 7-5 aggregate score.
Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have faced each other 242 times. Real Madrid has won 124 matches, while Atletico has won 60, with 58 games ending in a draw. Atletico won their last league meeting 5-2 in September 2025.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
