
Early Atletico team news
The big question is whether Ademola Lookman can feature having sat out the weekend La Liga win against Athletic Club owing to a muscle issue. Julian Alvarez is expected to be involved having shaken off a thigh issue.
Defenders Jose Gimenez and David Hancko could return too following injuries but Pablo Barrios will not be in the engine room owing to a hamstring strain.
Alan Smith29 April 2026 17:18
Early Arsenal team news
Eberechi Eze came off after scoring the winner against Newcastle United on Saturday, a nervy result that moved Arsenal back to the Premier League’s summit. But he is apparently fine to feature tonight. There is less positive news around Kai Havertz though. The Germany star also hobbled off at the weekend and is not involved this evening.
Riccardo Calafiori is back in training and may return to the bench, though Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino remain absent.
Alan Smith29 April 2026 17:12
Shifting styles
After the highest-scoring semi-final game in the competition’s history, the expectation from all quarters is that tonight’s match will be a little more, well, measured. No less intense, of course, but instead of the attack after attack approach at Parc des Princes, the Metropolitano should see two teams more eager to keep things a bit tighter.
A prediction is difficult beyond feeling confident that the tie will be very much alive for next week’s second leg in north London.
Alan Smith29 April 2026 17:05
Good afternoon!
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Champions League action as Arsenal take on Atletico Madrid in the second semi-final tie.
Yesterday saw a thrilling first leg play out between PSG and Bayern Munich as the reigning champions won 5-4 in Paris to take a slim lead into the second leg in Germany next week.
Now the onus is on the Gunners and Atleti to replicate the exciting nature of that tie when they come face-to-face this evening.
We’ll have all the team news, line-ups and latest updates so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 8pm.
Mike Jones29 April 2026 15:28



