Atlético of Madrid and Arsenal prepare for the first leg of the UEFA Liga of Campeões semi-finals. The match takes place this Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at Estádio Riyadh Air Metropolitano, at Madri, starting at 4pm Brasília time. Diego Simeone and Mikel Arteta define the last pieces of the lineups. The focus is on absences and the options available for each side.
Prováveis lineups highlight absences due to injury
Atlético of Madrid must use scheme with Jan Oblak in goal. The defense has Nahuel Molina, Robin Le Normand, Clément Lenglet and Matteo Ruggeri. In midfield, Giuliano Simeone, Koke and Johnny Cardoso appear as a base, with Nico González or Álex Baena on one of the wings. Antoine Griezmann and Julián Álvarez form the attack. Pablo Barrios remains out due to a muscle injury. José María Giménez is also unavailable. Ademola Lookman is doubtful.
Arsenal should line up David Raya as goalkeeper. Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães and Piero Hincapié make up the defense. Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi play in the middle, with Martin Ødegaard further forward. Bukayo Saka, Viktor Gyökeres and Gabriel Martinelli are the main offensive options. Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber remain out. Eberechi Eze may have minutes.
- Oblak should be the absolute starter in Atlético’s goal
- Le Normand and Lenglet form the defense duo in Madri
- Rice and Zubimendi provide balance to Arsenal’s middle
- Gyökeres leads Gunners’s attack in Havertz’s absence
- Griezmann and Álvarez concentrate the home team’s offensive hopes
Detalhes of formations and tactical adjustments
Simeone tends to prioritize defensive compression in big games at home. The presence of Koke helps with experience and passing the ball. Álvarez returns with confirmed physical condition and should be a starter. Arteta bets on ball possession and high pressure, but the absences in attack limit options. Saka recently returned and could start among the reserves or on the bench.
Arsenal’s defensive line has good consistency with Saliba and Gabriel. Hincapié gets minutes on the left wing. The midfield with Rice and Zubimendi allows Ødegaard to advance.
Onde watch the confrontation live
The transmission is carried out by TNT on closed TV and HBO Max on streaming. ge.globo offers real-time monitoring with updates, bids and statistics. Canais UEFA officials also release information.
Não is broadcast openly on Brazilian TV. Aplicativos radio and specialized websites complete the options.
Últimos five games for each team
Atlético from MadridVitória 3-2 at La Liga Derrota at Copa at Rei Empate away from home Vitória at Madri Derrota in the group stage at Champions
ArsenalVitória on Premier League Empate on Londres Vitória convincing Derrota to rival Empate away from home
Recent results show Atlético more solid at home. Arsenal maintains regularity in Inglaterra.
Ficha one-way game technique
Estádio: Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madri (Espanha) Horário: 16h (from Brasília) Árbitro: Danny Makkelie (Holanda) Assistentes: Hessel Steegstra and Jan from Vries (Holanda) VAR: Pol from Boekel (Holanda)
Atlético seeks to exploit the home factor and the opponent’s failures in transitions. Arsenal tries to control the pace and avoid counterattacks. The result defines part of the course of the semifinal. The return game takes place on Londres next week.