Champions League line-ups: Calafiori could make return in Atletico Madrid vs. Arsenal | OneFootball

Riccardo Calafiori could be poised to make his return to action, but will start amongst the substitutes on this occasion as Arsenal take on Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie on Wednesday evening.

Calafiori back in squad for Atletico Madrid vs. Arsenal

Calafiori has missed Arsenal’s last four matches across all competitions (three in the Premier League and one in the Champions League) after suffering a knock in his side’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Sporting CP on April 7.

The Italy international has missed the last three weeks of action since then, but has returned to training with the Arsenal first-team this week.

Calafiori is included in Mikel Arteta’s matchday squad for the first leg of Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final away against Atletico Madrid, but Piero Hincapie is preferred at left-back on this occasion.

Former Atalanta star Ademola Lookman is included in the Atletico Madrid starting line-up, but there is no Nico Gonzalez, currently on loan from Juventus, who is expected to miss the next three to four weeks with a muscular injury.

Confirmed Atletico Madrid vs. Arsenal line-ups

LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 28: Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal in action during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between Arsenal FC and FC Kairat Almaty at Arsenal Stadium on January 28, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Atletico Madrid (4-4-2): Oblak; Llorente, Pubill, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Koke, Cardoso, Lookman; Griezmann, Alvarez.

Subs: Musso, Esquivel, Mendoza, Sorloth, Alex Baena, Almada, Lenglet, Molina, Vargas, Le Normand, Bonar, Julio Diaz.

Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli.

Subs: Kepa, Setford, Mosquera, Saka, Jesus, Eze, Norgaard, Trossard, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman, Salmon.

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