La Liga
Feb 21, 2016 7.30pm
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  • Gabi 69' yellowcard
  • Filipe Luis 73' yellowcard
  • yellowcard Samu Castillejo 62'
  • yellowcard Eric Bailly 77'

Team News: Two changes for Atletico Madrid

Two changes for Atletico

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has made two changes to his starting XI for the visit of Villarreal in La Liga tonight.

Fernando Torres has kept his place spearheading the attack following his return to goalscoring form, and he will be assisted by Antoine Griezmann and Angel Correa as Simeone opts for a 4-3-3 formation against a Villarreal side who have won their last two matches.

Yannick Ferreira Carrasco, who limped off in the 1-0 win at city rivals Getafe last Sunday, is absent for the hosts, while Stefan Savic comes in for the suspended Jose Gimenez in the back four.

Surprisingly, Marcelino makes six changes to the Villarreal XI that managed 1-0 victories over Malaga in the league and Serie A challengers Napoli in the Europa League in midweek.

Daniele Bonera, Eric Bertrand Bailly and Antonio Rukavina come in as Marcelino opts for a five-man defence, with Mateo Musacchio and Jaume Costa dropping out.

Jonathan dos Santos's hamstring injury means a start for 21-year-old Samu Castillejo, while Pina also earns a recall ahead of Manu Trigueros and Denis Suarez. Roberto Soldado keeps his place up front but is partnered by Cedric Bakambu as Leo Baptistao starts on the bench.

Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Savic, Filipe Luis; Gabi, Saul, Koke; Correa, Griezmann, Torres Subs: Moya, Jesus Gamez, Lucas, Kranevitter, Oliver Torres, Villa, Vietto

Villarreal: Areola; Mario, Bonera, Victor Ruiz, E. Bailly, Rukavina; Bruno, Pina, Castillejo; Soldado, Bakambu Subs: Barbosa, Musacchio, Trigueros, Denis, Baptistao, Adrian, Marin

Follow live coverage of the clash from the Vicente Calderon with Sports Mole's text commentary here.

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