UCL: Things to know as Atletico Madrid take on Club Brugge
Everything remains finely poised heading into Tuesday night’s decisive clash in Madrid, where Club Brugge travel to the Estadio Metropolitano encouraged by Christos Tzolis’ dramatic late equaliser in the first
Everything remains finely poised heading into Tuesday night’s decisive clash in Madrid, where Club Brugge travel to the Estadio Metropolitano encouraged by Christos Tzolis’ dramatic late equaliser in the first leg.
Last week’s encounter produced a pulsating 3–3 draw, with Tzolis striking in the 89th minute to ensure the Belgian side left level on aggregate. Ivan Leko’s men now return to Spain hoping to replicate the kind of playoff success that defined their European campaign last season.
On that occasion, under former coach Nicky Hayen, Brugge stunned Europa League holders Atalanta with a 3–1 victory in Bergamo, sealing a 5–2 aggregate triumph to reach the Champions League round of 16. The task awaiting them this time appears even more demanding, yet Atlético Madrid’s occasional defensive vulnerability offers encouragement.
Diego Simeone’s side once again showed signs of fragility at the back during their 4–2 La Liga win over Espanyol at the weekend, conceding twice at home. However, their attacking efficiency ensured they returned to winning ways domestically. Brugge, meanwhile, arrive in the Spanish capital in solid form, having recorded three consecutive league victories since their narrow defeat to Union Saint-Gilloise earlier this month.
Match Details
Location: Madrid, Spain
Stadium: Estadio Metropolitano
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 24
Kick-off Time: 5:45 p.m. BST / 12:45 p.m. ET / 9:45 a.m. PT
Referee: Clément Turpin (FRA)
VAR: Jérôme Brisard (FRA)
Atlético Madrid vs. Club Brugge Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
Atlético Madrid: 1 win
Club Brugge: 1 win
Draws: 3
Last meeting: Club Brugge 3–3 Atlético Madrid (Feb. 18, 2026)—Champions League
Atlético enter the contest with no new injury concerns following the Espanyol victory, though Pablo Barrios and Nico González remain sidelined with muscle problems. Simeone deployed an attack-minded back three at the weekend but is expected to revert to a four-man defensive setup for the return leg.
Midfield adjustments are also anticipated. Alex Baena could make way for the experienced Koke, while Antoine Griezmann faces competition for his place after Alexander Sørloth’s recent brace. Julián Alvarez, who found the net in the first leg, is widely expected to start.
Atlético Madrid’s projected lineup (4-4-2):
Oblak; Llorente, Pubill, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Cardoso, Koke, Lookman; Sørloth, Alvarez.
Club Brugge will be without holding midfielder Raphael Onyedika, who is suspended after accumulating three yellow cards in this season’s Champions League. Captain Hans Vanaken avoided a booking in the first leg that would have ruled him out, and he is set to feature prominently again.
Félix Lemaréchal is expected to partner Aleksandar Stanković in midfield. Injury concerns persist for third-choice goalkeeper Dani van den Heuvel and Cisse Sandra, while Lynnt Audoor remains a doubt with a muscle issue. Ludovit Reis, however, returned to the matchday squad last week and could be available.
Club Brugge’s projected lineup (4-2-3-1):
Mignolet; Sabbe, Ordoñez, Mechele, Seys; Stanković, Lemaréchal; Forbs, Vanaken, Tzolis; Tresoldi.
With the aggregate score level and both sides carrying attacking momentum into the second leg, Tuesday’s contest promises another high-stakes European encounter in Madrid.
