Tottenham vs Atletico Madrid LIVE: Team news as Romero returns with Spurs plotting Champions League comeback | OneFootball

Tottenham captain Cristian Romero could return for the Champions League second leg (REUTERS)

Tottenham are hoping for another famous European night as they host Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

Igor Tudor’s side trail 5-2 from the first leg after an embarrassing collapse in Madrid, with Antonin Kinsky at fault as Spurs conceded four goals in 22 minutes to leave this season’s European dream in tatters.

However, the visitors rallied somewhat to fight back to a three-goal deficit, and while they’ve been left with a mountain to climb, it’s not an impossible task against an Atleti side who were uncharacteristically open at times last week.

And with the Lilywhites coming into the match buoyed by the hard-fought draw at Anfield at the weekend, Spurs fans will be calling upon memories of Amsterdam in 2019 as they hope to spur their side on to another famous comeback.

Is the Premier League at risk of losing fifth Champions League place after damaging last-16 results?

The Premier League could boast seven clubs in next season’s Champions League if all the right pieces fall into place – but there is now a real danger of having only four spots after a string of poor results.

Last term saw an unprecedented six English clubs qualify for Europe’s premier competition; five by their league position, while Tottenham earned their place in the league phase after winning the Europa League.

Yet that inflated contingent could grow even more this year, with the Premier League appearing as one of the more prominent beneficiaries to the competition’s expansion to 36 teams that came into effect at the beginning of 2024/25.

Is the Premier League at risk of losing fifth Champions League place after exits?

An unprecedented seven English teams could make up the 36 clubs that qualify for next season’s Champions League

Chris Wilson18 March 2026 19:35