Atlético Madrid vs Arsenal Lineups Confirmed: Champions League Semifinal First Leg Kicks Off Tonight
Two clubs still chasing their first European crown. One night in Madrid that could define both their seasons. Atlético Madrid host Arsenal at the Estadio Metropolitano on Wednesday, April 29, in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinal — and both managers head into the tie short of key personnel at the worst possible moment.
The Lineups
Diego Simeone lines up in a 4-4-2: Jan Oblak in goal; Nahuel Molina, Robin Le Normand, Clément Lenglet, Matteo Ruggeri across the back; Giuliano Simeone, Koke, Johnny Cardoso, and Alejandro Baena in midfield; Antoine Griezmann and Julián Álvarez leading the attack.
Mikel Arteta deploys a 4-3-3: David Raya; Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel, Piero Hincapié; Martin Ødegaard, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice; Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyökeres, Gabriel Martinelli.
Injury Blows on Both Sides
Neither side arrives whole. For Atlético, Pablo Barrios is out with a hamstring injury and José Giménez is sidelined with a muscle problem. Ademola Lookman and Dávid Hancko are both doubtful and will be assessed ahead of kickoff. The absence of Barrios in the engine room is significant — Koke steps up to fill that void at 34 years old.
The one major piece of good news for Simeone: Julián Álvarez had been carrying discomfort but confirmed he is "100% and ready to play." Atlético's nine-goal Champions League top scorer starting is non-negotiable.
Arsenal's situation is equally patchy. Kai Havertz will miss the first leg after coming off against Newcastle at the weekend, and Jurrien Timber remains sidelined, leaving Arteta short of versatile options across the backline. Mikel Merino is out for the rest of the season entirely. Riccardo Calafiori is a doubt. The good news for Arteta is the return of Saka, who came through minutes on Sunday, and Zubimendi, now recovered from illness, is set to anchor the midfield.
What Both Teams Are Playing For
Arsenal are the only unbeaten side left in this season's Champions League, having topped the league phase with a perfect record and navigated knockout ties against Bayer Leverkusen and Sporting CP. A first European final since 2006 is within reach — but the Metropolitano is one of the hardest venues in the competition to take anything from.
Atlético know this ground better than anyone. Simeone's side have won 11 of their last 15 European two-legged ties against English opposition, including all three semifinal clashes. Yet this Arsenal side already handed them a 4-0 defeat at the Emirates in October — form that Simeone has spent the intervening months quietly filing away.
Atlético have set a new club record with 34 Champions League goals this season, a far cry from the defensive identity that defined Simeone's earlier years in Madrid. Griezmann pulling strings behind Álvarez gives them genuine variety in attack. Arsenal's back four, which has conceded just five goals in 12 Champions League games, will be tested.
The Stakes Tonight
The winners of this tie will face either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain in the final in Budapest on May 30. Arsenal enter tonight as slight favorites at +132, with Atlético at +220.
Arteta said of reaching consecutive semifinals: "It's the first time in our history, in 140 years — to be part of those four teams is something very special. You have to earn it."
Simeone was equally direct: "We're heading into the semifinals with all our enthusiasm and all our faith. We're ready, and we're going to go after what we've been chasing for many years."
The second leg is at the Emirates on Tuesday, May 5. Tonight, Madrid goes first.
