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Tottenham Hotspur will face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League have three players at risk of being handed a suspension

Tottenham Hotspur have three players at risk of earning a suspension in the Champions League going into their clash against Atletico Madrid.

Spurs will face the La Liga outfit in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Tuesday night as they make the trip to the Spanish capital.

Igor Tudor will be hoping for a dramatic change in form, having overseen three defeats in each of his opening three matches since taking charge at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Tudor’s future at Tottenham has been the subject of speculation over the last few days following last week’s defeat to Crystal Palace, but the caretaker manager will take charge of the squad for the match against Atletico.

However, Tottenham have three players who are just one yellow card away from being handed a suspension in the Champions League.

In the main phase of the competition, three yellow cards handed out to a player will equate to a one-match ban in the following game.

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Currently, Tottenham have Randal Kolo Muani, Joao Palhinha and Richarlison all on two yellow cards across the Champions League so far this season.

As a result, if either of the trio were to get booked in the first leg against Atletico on Tuesday night, they would receive a suspension and miss the return leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next week.

Spurs have already had one player suspended in the Champions League this season, with defender Micky van de Ven earning three yellow cards during the league phase of the competition.

Van de Ven served his suspension in the league phase win over Borussia Dortmund, and missed the final match against Eintracht Frankfurt through injury.

The defender is expected to be available to face Atletico, days after being shown a red card in the defeat to Crystal Palace in the Premier League, where he was also wearing the captain’s armband before being given his marching orders.

Despite enduring a tough run of form in the Premier League, with Tottenham without a win in the top flight since December 28, Spurs managed to win five of their league phase matches in the Champions League to finish in fourth place in the table.

Tottenham will face Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 clash on Tuesday evening

Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodri Mendoza has been ruled out of both Champions League last 16 ties against Tottenham.

The Spaniard, who arrived from Elche in January, picked up an ankle issue during Saturday's 3-2 La Liga victory over Real Sociedad.

Atletico confirmed in a club statement that Mendoza had suffered a “moderate-grade sprain in his right ankle."

Spanish reports suggest he could be out until after the international break, meaning he won't feature against Spurs both in Madrid or in London next week.

Meanwhile, Diego Simeone has been speaking about Conor Gallagher, who could square off against his former side tomorrow night at the Wanda Metropolitano.

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Gallagher left Atletico after 18 months to join the Europa League winners during the January transfer window.

Simeone said: "Conor Gallagher is a boy who worked very well with us. A footballer who can play in different positions, who gets into attacking areas. A boy who behaved very well and we have very good memories of his time at Atletico."

The Argentine also made it clear his team will not be underestimating Tottenham by any stretch, explaining: "Tottenham? When a team steps onto the pitch, they don’t think about where they are in the table or the moment they are going through. Any footballer wants to win the match. It’s like that in every team."

There are plenty of stories and narratives around this game, not least Spurs captain Cuti Romero, who was a target for Atletico last summer.

A deal did not materialise for financial reasons and Romero ended up signing a new long-term deal with Tottenham.

Atletico also have Ademola Lookman on their books following his January transfer switch from Atalanta.

Lookman was among a list of players Spurs could have moved for this winter but they instead decided to stick to their guns and refrained from strengthening their forward options.

Then of course there is the Wanda Metropolitano, where Tottenham lost the 2019 Champions League final against Liverpool under Mauricio Pochettino.

So much has changed since then but for the Spurs supporters that travel to Madrid, the city and stadium will remind them of better times, even if they did endure heartbreak that evening almost seven years ago.

Tottenham have been boosted by the returns of Djed Spence and Radu Dragusin, who both returned to training at Hotspur Way on Monday morning.

Spence has missed the past two matches while Dragusin sat out of the defeat to Crystal Palace.

Igor Tudor and Pedro Porro are holding their press conference on Monday in Madrid ahead of Tottenham's Champions League last 16 clash at Atletico Madrid.

The Croatian has already found his position to be the subject of plenty of speculation after defeats in all of his opening three matches. Spurs sit 16th in the Premier League table and just a point above 18th-placed West Ham with Nottingham Forest in between them.

The north London outfit have a midweek distraction from their Premier League woes in the shape of their round of 16 tie against Diego Simeone's side in Spain. The game will mark a quick homecoming for Conor Gallagher, who left Atletico for Tottenham in the winter window.

Tudor will deliver the latest injury news, having previously said that he hoped Djed Spence and Radu Dragusin would be fit for the game. Cristian Romero is finally available to play again after his four-game Premier League suspension.

Tottenham were back in training on Monday morning at Hotspur Way ahead of their Champions League last 16 clash

Tottenham's numbers have been boosted ahead of the Champions League last 16 trip to Atletico Madrid after defenders Djed Spence and Radu Dragusin returned to training.

Spurs were out on the grass at Hotspur Way on Monday morning before they were due to fly to the Spanish capital where they will go head-to-head with Diego Simeone's Copa del Rey finalists for a place in the quarter-finals.

Spence has recently missed the defeats to Fulham and Crystal Palace with a calf issue while Dragusin sat out of the 3-1 home defeat to the FA Cup finalists on Thursday.

But both, as Igor Tudor had anticipated, look set to be part of the travelling squad, though the Europa League winners are still without eight key first-team stars for the contest due to injury.

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James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Ben Davies, Mohammed Kudus, Wilson Odobert, Rodrigo Bentancur and Lucas Bergvall all remain sidelined.

Midfielder Yves Bissouma and left-back Souza are not registered to play in UEFA competitions, either.

Spurs added Mathys Tel, Conor Gallagher and Dragusin to their roster following the conclusion of the January transfer window.

Clubs are only permitted to add three new players to their updated squad per UEFA regulations.

Speaking ahead of the tie, right-back Pedro Porro has made it clear Spurs' lack of numbers is the primary reason behind the club's domestic struggles.

He told Radio MARCA: "It's difficult, because when you're competing in four competitions under these circumstances... we already had that bad experience last year in the Premier League with so many injured players, and you just can't compete. We have young players coming on strong, and looking at this season, it's basically the same.

"You're going to play against Arsenal, [Manchester] City, Liverpool, or Chelsea, and you just can't. We could field a starting eleven of injured players that might even be stronger than the eleven that's currently playing.

"And it's not out of disrespect to anyone, but that's basically the reality. We have to think and maintain a positive mindset. I've told my teammates, it's difficult to compete like this, but we always have to give 100 per cent, even though things aren't going well in the Premier League, just like last year. We're going to approach the tie with the same ambition we've shown so far in the Champions League."

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Tottenham right-back Pedro Porro has been left frustrated by the club's lack of numbers ahead of his side's Champions League knockout clash against Atletico Madrid

Pedro Porro claims Tottenham's injured XI "might even be stronger" than their current starting line-up.

The Spanish right-back has bemoaned the number of fitness issues that the club have faced for the second consecutive season ahead of their Champions League last 16 showdown against Atletico Madrid.

While there's optimism Djed Spence and Radu Dragusin could return to action alongside recently-suspended captain Cristian Romero, the Europa League winners still have James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Mohammed Kudus, Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall, Wilson Odobert, Destiny Udogie, Ben Davies on the sidelines.

Micky van de Ven will also serve a one-match ban against Liverpool this weekend, though he's available to feature against Atletico.

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Porro told Radio MARCA: “We could field a starting eleven of injured players that might even be stronger than the eleven that’s currently playing. And it’s not out of disrespect to anyone, but that’s basically the reality.

“We have to think and maintain a positive mindset. I’ve told my teammates, it’s difficult to compete like this, but we always have to give 100% per cent even though things aren’t going well in the Premier League, just like last year.

"We’re going to approach the tie with the same ambition we’ve shown so far in the Champions League.”

Despite their Premier League struggles, much like last term, Spurs' European exploits have been commendable.

They accumulated 17 points during the league phase to cement a fourth-place finish, bypassing the awkward play-off round.

North London rivals Arsenal were the only side to lose less matches (zero) than Tottenham (one) during the group stage.

Porro insists the club have been unable to replicate that sparkling form domestically due to a lack of numbers.

He added ahead of his return to his homeland: “It’s difficult, because when you’re competing in four competitions under these circumstances, we already had that bad experience last year in the Premier League with so many injured players, and you just can’t compete.

“We have young players coming on strong, and looking at this season, it’s basically the same. You’re going to play against Arsenal, City, Liverpool, or Chelsea, and you just can’t.”

Tottenham are now hovering just one point above the Premier League drop zone and survival remains the top priority, even if they have worked tirelessly to reach the Champions League knockout stages.

Interim boss Igor Tudor is still yet to achieve his first victory and has lost his first three matches at the helm to Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace, respectively.

Tottenham Hotspur find themselves in the position of seeking refuge on the continent as the Champions League returns this week.

Despite a domestic campaign that has seen them lurch from one disaster to another, currently sitting one point off the relegation zone, Spurs remain a different beast in Europe, having finished the league phase as one of the competition's top performers.

They travel to face Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano on March 10 as significant 17/4 outsiders with bet365 to take a first-leg lead back to North London, with Atletico Madrid priced at 8/13.

While Tottenham are currently 25/1 longshots to lift the trophy in Budapest, the return of captain Cristian Romero provides a timely boost for a side that has made a habit of defying their domestic form under the Wednesday night lights.

Here's everything you need to know about the Champions League knock-out stages for Tottenham in 2026

The view from Reach PLC's chief Arsenal reporter, Alasdair Gold

Tottenham Hotspur are in a bad way right now. They can't attack, they can't defend and they are currently lurching from one disaster to another. However, for some unknown reason, European football has been their solace in recent campaigns.

This was evident last season when they won the Europa League despite finishing 17th in the Premier League, and a similar pattern has emerged this term. Spurs currently sit 16th in the domestic table, yet they remarkably finished the Champions League league phase with only three teams ending up above them.

The focus for the club must remain on steering away from relegation danger, but this trip to Madrid to face Atletico presents an opportunity to perform away from those intense domestic pressures. It is a chance to try and regain some confidence and set up a big second leg back in North London next week.

The squad is bolstered by the return of captain Cristian Romero, who is available to play again after his four-game Premier League suspension. Furthermore, while Micky van de Ven was sent off against Crystal Palace on Thursday, he has not yet begun serving his one-match ban, allowing him to feature in this crucial European tie.

Romero remains the vital figure for Spurs. As Tottenham's best player, he has won more big matches and trophies than the rest of the squad combined, and he is the individual who, on his day, drives the team to be better.

On the other side, Atletico’s Julián Álvarez represents a major threat; he knows how to play against Premier League opposition and has been among the goals and assists this season, particularly in the Champions League. He is likely to give the shaky Spurs backline a tough night, and it is possible to see an exit for Tottenham at this stage of the competition.

Looking at the wider tournament, Arsenal currently look like the strongest candidates. Their style of play and ability to grind out results is perfect for tournament football; they are leading the way in the Premier League and progressed with eight wins from eight in the Champions League.

Tottenham's potential route to the Champions League final:

Last 16: Atletico Madrid

Quarter-finals: Newcastle or Barcelona

Semi-finals: Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Bodø/Glimt or Sporting CP

Final: Real Madrid, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, PSG, Atalanta, Galatasaray or Bayern Munich

To win the Champions League odds with bet365

Arsenal 5/2

Bayern Munich 11/2

Barcelona 6/1

Man City 8/1

PSG 10/1

Liverpool 10/1

Real Madrid 12/1

Atletico Madrid 20/1

Chelsea 25/1

Newcastle 25/1

Tottenham 25/1

BAR 28/1

They will certainly fancy their chances with their side of the draw. However, Bayern Munich remain a formidable opponent with a squad full of elite talent—not least Harry Kane, the world's most complete striker, who will be eager to fire them to glory.

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Tottenham are in Champions League action this week as they travel to take on Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their round of 16 clash

Eyes turn to the Champions League for Tottenham Hotspur this week as they aim to take an advantage into the second leg of their round of 16 clash against Atletico Madrid.

Spurs travel to Spain on Tuesday night (8pm) as they look to forget their troubles in the Premier League. The second leg takes place just over a week later at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday, 18 March.

Tottenham’s last outing saw them fall to a 3-1 home defeat against Crystal Palace on Thursday night, leaving them in serious danger of relegation from the Premier League. The Champions League may be a welcome break from the strains of the fight.

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Spurs have had the full weekend to prepare for the game, as they were not involved in the FA Cup fifth round. All concentration will therefore be on Tuesday night’s game.

Tottenham have been hit with more than their fair share of injury problems throughout the season.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the latest from the treatment room for both teams ahead of the game.

Tottenham

Igor Tudor faces a nervous wait over the fitness of full-back Djed Spence, who has missed the last two matches due to ‘soreness.’ Ahead of last week’s game against Palace, Igor Tudor was hopeful that he’d be back in time for the clash against Atletico, but it may be a waiting game for the player and club.

There are set to be more players on the injury list, which has failed to let up throughout the campaign. Long-term absentees Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Wilson Odobert are continuing their recoveries from serious knee injuries.

Rodrigo Bentancur is also undergoing rehabilitation after undergoing surgery on a hamstring injury. He will be joined on the sidelines by Mohammed Kudus, the forward’s return has been earmarked for after the upcoming international break.

It’s a similar situation with Lucas Bergvall and Ben Davies, who could make their comebacks from an ankle injury after the international break.

Full-back Destiny Udogie will be closing in on a return to action, with a four-to-five-week timeline put on his return in early February. However, the clash against Atletico could come just a bit too early.

There could also be doubts over the fitness of defender Radu Dragusin, who missed the game against Palace because of a minor knock.

The good news for Spurs is that the red card shown to centre-back Micky van de Ven against Palace does not carry over to the Champions League. He will therefore be available to face Atletico.

Atletico Madrid

Things are looking a lot quieter in terms of the treatment room at Atletico Madrid. There are just two players who are doubts for the game.

Midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza was taken off at half time of the 3-2 La Liga win against Real Sociedad on Saturday, having received a heavy knock to his ankle. The club have since confirmed that he has suffered a “moderate ankle sprain”, ruling him out of the clash against Spurs.

Another midfielder, Pablo Barrios, has missed the last nine games in all competitions with a muscle injury. He has, however, returned to training this weekend ahead of the mid-week clash.

It’s still to be seen if the game against Spurs could be the one he makes his comeback in, or if it will come too soon for the 22-year-old.

The UEFA Champions League is down to its last 16 and there are some must-watch ties on the way this week. Six English teams are flying the flag for the Premier League, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur still in play.

Arsenal ended the League Phase at the top of the table, three points clear of second place Bayern Munich. Spurs will be one to watch as the troubled side go into the round of 16 sitting just one point above the Premier League relegation zone.

Newcastle were the only team forced to decide their fate in the play-offs and pulled off a sensational display over two legs. Eddie Howe’s men demolished Qarabag 9-3 on aggregate to book their place in the next round.

Almost every Round of 16 game will be shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+, including Galatasaray vs Liverpool and Atlético Madrid vs Spurs on Tuesday, plus Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal, Real Madrid vs Man City and PSG vs Chelsea on Wednesday. Fans can stream these games with a £30.99 rolling monthly subscription via the discovery+ app or Prime Video’s TNT Sports channel.

Amazon’s Prime Video holds the exclusive broadcast rights to the top-pick Tuesday fixture, with Newcastle vs Barcelona the chosen game this week. This means Magpies fans can stream the game for free with an Amazon Prime subscription or a 30-day free trial.

Here’s the full TV schedule for the Champions League Round of 16:

Tuesday, March 10

Wednesday, March 11

Tottenham Hotspur travel to Madrid on Monday ahead of their Champions League last 16 clash with Diego Simeone's Atletico side

Tottenham head to Spain on Monday afternoon with Igor Tudor having a couple of players unavailable despite being fit for the Champions League clash at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

Spurs have big Premier League problems on their hands right now as they lie a single point above the drop zone but this midweek brings a Champions League distraction as they take on Diego Simeone's side in the round of 16. Tuesday brings the first leg in the Spanish capital before next Wednesday the La Liga side will travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Interim head coach Tudor will have captain Cristian Romero available for selection for the first time in his tenure after the Argentine's four-game ban comes to an end following his second red card of the season. Micky van de Ven will also be available before facing his own suspension against Liverpool on Sunday after the first sending off of his career against Crystal Palace.

Tottenham made three changes to their Champions League squad for the knockout stages. Winter signing Conor Gallagher replaced Brennan Johnson among the 22 spots available, following the attacker's move to Palace, meaning the England international can face his old team in Madrid despite playing for them in the league stage.

A change to the UEFA rules a couple of seasons ago means that players can play for two different clubs in European competitions.

Mathys Tel and Radu Dragusin were also added to the club's Champions League list, replacing the injured duo Ben Davies and Rodrigo Bentancur who will no longer be eligible for this season’s competition. Tudor said he hopes Dragusin and Djed Spence will be fit enough to take part in Madrid if required after recent issues.

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Two fit players remain out of the squad though and they are recent signing Souza and experienced midfielder Yves Bissouma, who was left out of the league phase squad. Tottenham's lack of senior 'club-trained' homegrown players and a large number of foreign players restrict how many can be registered.

Lucas Bergvall and Mohammed Kudus will be hoping Spurs remain in the competition as they are both still registered for the Champions League squad and are set to be the next players to return from injury alongside Destiny Udogie.

However, were Spurs to progress into the quarter-finals or beyond, then they would not be able to use Dejan Kulusevski or James Maddison should they return from injury in time as they have not been registered.

Wilson Odobert was registered for the knockout stages last month only to then suffer an anterior cruciate ligament injury that will rule him out for much of 2026 and the Frenchman cannot now be replaced.

Tudor will be down a couple of players for the game in Spain, barring any further injuries, but should also have most of his first choice defence available for the first time in his reign.