Tottenham Hotspur face a huge European challenge this week, but injuries and suspensions could leave Igor Tudor with a severely depleted squad for the Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid.
Tottenham Hotspur’s focus is now set to turn to the Champions League following their 1-1 draw with Liverpool in the Premier League last weekend.
But the task in front of Spurs in Europe on Wednesday night is massive as they aim to overcome a three-goal deficit following their 5-2 first-leg defeat against Atletico Madrid in the round of 16 of the Champions League.
Spurs must lead by at least three goals to force extra time and win by four goals to win the tie outright if they are to progress to the quarter-final of this competition.
The return leg against Atletico Madrid takes place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a ground where Spurs have a strong European record and where they have remained unbeaten since 2020.
Tottenham injury list before Atletico Madrid Champions League clash
Igor Tudor will have to pull off whatever remontada is required without several of his outfield players as Tottenham continue to manage an injury crisis.
As it stands, Spurs are set to be without 10 players when they take on Atletico Madrid in north London. While that is still a lot, it’s a whole lot better than the 13 who looked like they would miss the game earlier this week, and the number could tumble down further in the coming days.
The usual names remain sidelined, with Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma, Ben Davies, Wilson Odobert and James Maddison all out. Lucas Bergvall has made a sensational early return to Spurs training though.
Mohammed Kudus is edging towards a return, with one pencilled in for after the international break, but it remains to be seen if he will be back sooner rather than later.
Richarlison is not injured but is suspended after picking up a yellow card in the first leg at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
Joao Palhinha is also expected to miss out because of concussion protocols following his clash of heads late in Madrid last Tuesday, but Cristian Romero is okay to play. Conor Gallagher is a maybe due to illness, but could make a return to the bench on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, full-back Souza is not part of Spurs’ Champions League squad alongside Bissouma, who remains sidelined through injury.
| Wilson Odobert | Knee | November 2026 |
| James Maddison | Knee | June 2026 |
| Dejan Kulusevski | Knee | May 2026 |
| Rodrigo Bentancur | Hamstring | May 2026 |
| Mohammed Kudus | Thigh | Early April 2026 |
| Ben Davies | Ankle | Mid April 2026 |
| Yves Bissouma | Knock | Unknown |
| Joao Palhinha | Concussion | Nottingham Forest |
| Richarlison | Suspended | Nottingham Forest |
| Souza | Not in CL squad | N/A |
Spurs could rely on youngsters against Atletico Madrid
Tottenham will, however, be hoping that Conor Gallagher is at least fit for this one, as he is nursing an illness he picked up before the Liverpool clash.
We could well see a bench that features several youngsters as Spurs push to turn this tie on its head. Both Callum Olusesis and James Rowswell came off the bench to help Tottenham earn the draw with Liverpool.
At the weekend, though, for the relegation six-pointer against Nottingham Forest, Tottenham could have five senior players back.