A SURPRISE 3-2 loss to Olympiacos on matchday one has heaped extra
significance on to Atletico Madrid’s home Champions League encounter
with Juventus tomorrow night.
Consequently, a defeat against the Italian champions at the Vicente
Calderon would leave Diego Simeone’s men, who reached last season’s
final in Lisbon, facing an uphill challenge to advance beyond the group
stages.
Since being beaten in Greece, Atletico have been in positive form
domestically, winning two and drawing one of their three La Liga
encounters.
Simeone has a near fully fit squad to select from following the
return to action from a facial injury of Croatian striker Mario
Mandzukic at the weekend. Elsewhere, summer signing Antoine Griezmann
has been primarily used as a substitute this season, but the French
international may well start.
As for visiting Juve, Roberto Pereyra will be available again
following a suspension and he could replace Arturo Vidal, who is
expected to be rested because of his ongoing knee problems. Andrea
Pirlo, Andrea Barzagli and Martin Caceres will also miss out with injury
complaints.
The Old Lady have made 20 previous trips to Spain, but have won
there on just three occasions - the last of which came in the Bernabeu
as a brace from Alessandro Del Piero downed Atletico’s city rivals Real
Madrid
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