Diego Simeone confirms Mario Mandzukic start

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has revealed that Mario Mandzukic will start Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid.

The Croatian forward has missed Atletico's last two league games with a muscular problem, but he will return to the starting XI in the Champions League.

Despite scoring 20 times for Atletico this season, Mandzukic's future at the Vicente Calderon is far from secure amid reports of a strained relationship with Simeone.

Mandzukic will be counted on against Real Madrid, however, with the forward tasked with adding to his five European goals this season.

The 28-year-old's return is expected to drop Fernando Torres to the bench.