Real Madrid will take on a familiar foe in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 after the defending champions were paired up with Atletico Madrid.
Los Blancos were forced to battle through the new-look knockout stage playoffs, following an underwhelming first phase in the competition, but Carlo Ancelotti’s side showed their steel to power past Manchester City over two legs.
That landed Ancelotti a date with his old rival Diego Simeone, as Real Madrid host their neighbours on March 4, before heading back across the Spanish capital for the second leg eight days later.
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Ancelotti faces a few selection headaches ahead of the first game with England international Jude Bellingham suspended due to yellow card accumulation in European action this season.
Five other Real Madrid players are also one yellow card away from a ban – and missing the second leg – with Ancelotti also one caution away from a touchline ban in the Champions League
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UEFA Champions League yellow cards: How many bookings lead to a suspension?
In the Champions League, players receive a one-match suspension after receiving three bookings that do not result in a red card. For example, if a player is sent off for two bookable offences, and also receives a yellow card in a subsequent match, this will not result in another ban.
All subsequent odd-number yellow cards from there also incur a ban – for example the fifth, seventh or ninth booking – so Bellingham would be banned for a quarterfinal first leg, if he is cautioned in the second leg, and Real Madrid qualify.
All yellow cards are wiped after the quarterfinal stage, meaning Real Madrid’s tension over bookings will continue, even if they progress past Atletico Madrid in the coming weeks.
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Which Real Madrid players are Champions League suspension risks?
Eduardo Camavainga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Endrick Felipe, Antonio Rudiger and club captain Luka Modric are all just one more Champions League booking away from suspension.
Camavinga, Tchouameni and Rudiger are all expected to start against Atletico Madrid with Modric and Endrick on the bench.
It will be a real balancing act for Ancelotti to keep all five players available for the second leg with Real Madrid [on 25] picking up more yellow cards than any other team still left in the competition.
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