With the exception of Mario Suarez rotating with Tiago in the middle of the pitch, Simeone’s favoured team features Thibaut Courtois in goal, Juanfran, Miranda, Diego Godin and Filipe at the back, Arda Turan on the right, Tiago or Mario partnering Gabi in the middle, then Koke on the left, and a forward pairing of Diego Costa and David Villa.

» 1 talkSPORT takes a look at how Atletico Madrid could line up in Lisbon with and without both Diego Costa and Arda Turan With Atletico Madrid’s first Champions League final in 40 years only hours away, secrecy and rumour surrounds Diego Simeone’s team selection. The fitness problems experienced by Arda Turan and Diego Costa at the Camp Nou last weekend suggested both players would miss the encounter in Lisbon, but a trip to Serbia, a rub of a horse placenta and a few training sessions later, it looks like at least one of the two could make the cut after all.

Four of the most likely team selections for Simeone are detailed below… Simeone’s ideal selection 1 Guessing Diego Simeone’s ideal starting eleven isn’t a particularly difficult task, as the Argentine has been consistent in his teams this season. With the exception of Mario Suarez rotating with Tiago in the middle of the pitch, Simeone’s favoured team features Thibaut Courtois in goal, Juanfran, Miranda, Diego Godin and Filipe at the back, Arda Turan on the right, Tiago or Mario partnering Gabi in the middle, then Koke on the left, and a forward pairing of Diego Costa and David Villa.

As things stand it looks highly unlikely that Simeone will be able to go with his first choice team from the start tonight. Diego Costa in, Arda Turan out 1 The latest reports from Spanish journalist Antonio Ruiz claim that Diego Costa has indeed made a miraculous recovery, and will start against Real Madrid, but Arda Turan has not been so fortunate.1xbet.footballresultstoday.org/ Even if that is the case, the Turk may yet make the bench, with Raul Garcia taking his place in the initial eleven.

The Spanish midfielder is excellent in the air, providing a useful out-ball for Atletico from the back, and could be a big thorn in Real Madrid’s side from set-pieces. Without Arda however, Atleti will struggle to retain the ball under pressure, with the Turk’s excellent close control and dribbling an important asset on the right hand side.

Arda Turan in, Diego Costa out 1 Arda Turan in, Diego Costa out Even if Diego Costa’s recovery proves better than expected, Diego Simeone may decide it isn’t worth risking the striker from the start. The Argentine has insisted this game isn’t for ‘80% fit’ players, and in that scenario, Adrian Lopez is the natural replacement for the Costa.

The Asturian forward is the only other Atletico striker capable of mimicking Costa’s tireless forward runs, something essential for Atleti in pinning back the opposition back-line in an effort to avoid spending too much of the game on the back foot. If Adrian is indeed forced to start, Simeone would much rather be able to call upon Arda Turan in order to deviate as little as possible from his usual starting team. That luxury may not be available to the Argentine coach, however.

The worst-case scenario 1 Some journalists suspect Atletico have been bluffing about Diego Costa’s physical state, and that the video footage of him participating in training has been carefully selected to provide the illusion of fitness. Undoubtedly Diego Simeone’s worst-case scenario would be to lose both Arda and Diego Costa, in which case Raul Garcia would again take the Turk’s place, while Adrian Lopez would fill in for the striker.

In this set-up, Atleti would likely become even more direct than usual, looking for Raul Garcia’s strength in the air and Adrian’s pace on the break, and most probably having to rely on goals from midfield and set-pieces. On an optimistic note for Atletico Madrid, regardless of which players are deemed fit to start, the success of Diego Simeone’s side has always been about more than just individuals.

Only a few months ago Adrian was considered a lost cause, for example, but the Asturian produced star turns against both Barcelona and Chelsea in key Champions League games, defying the perceived wisdom of most observers. Raul Garcia, meanwhile, provided vital goals in some of the tightest La Liga fixtures during the second half of this season.

Members of the supporting cast like Diego Ribas and Principito Sosa, who can provide quality from set-pieces, shooting from distance and experience, should not be overlooked either. Whenever one player drops out of the Atleti side, another tends to step up and produce the goods, something that is facilitated by the clarity over how the team plays and what is expected of each individual component.

That can only work in Diego Simeone’s favour. talkSPORT has live coverage of the UEFA Champions League final between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid from 19:45pm (UK time) on Saturday, May 24th. Click here to listen…   » » Tottenham produced a memorable second-half display to claim a 3-0 win in their Champions League Round of 16 first-leg tie against Borussia Dortmund. The German giants were dangerous throughout the first half, especially with England winger Jadon Sancho.https://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/FC_Barcelona

4 Tottenham star Jan Vertonghen But they failed to take their chances and Spurs made them pay. Son Heung-Min, Jan Vertonghen and Fernando Llorente scored after the break to give the north Londoners a huge advantage in the European clash.

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6 Juan Foyth: Looked nervy early on but found his confidence as the game progressed and produced two timely clearances. 6 Davison Sanchez: Sancho ran him ragged early on but he grew into the test. 6 Toby Alderweireld: Like his partner, was solid throughout and added vital experience at the back when Dortmund pressed. 7 Serge Aurier: Found it tough in first half but delivered a wonderful cross for Vertonghen’s goal.

6 Moussa Sissoko: Some wayward passes but another good showing. 6 Harry Winks: Another fine all round performance from the midfielder on the big stage. 7 4 Tottenham star Son Heung-Min Jan Vertonghen: Superb performance from left-back.

Set up Son’s opener with a wicked cross before volleying home Spurs’ second with aplomb. 9 Christian Eriksen: Struggled to find his range at times but his perfect corner saw Llorente head home the third. 7 Son Heung-Min: Another tireless display and was fantastic in the second half. Fired home the opener just after the break. 8 Lucas Moura: Failed to find his team-mates at times but was dangerous and worked hard.

6 Substitutes Fernando Llorente: Came on with five minutes remaining and took seconds to score what could be a vital header. 7 Victor Wanyama: Last-minute substitute. N/A Unused subs: Trippier, Rose, Lamela, Gazzaniga, Skipp 4 Tottenham star Fernando Llorente Borussia Dortmund Roman Burki: Strange decision making in first half went unpunished.

Had no chance with either goal and did little else wrong. 5 Achraf Hakimi: Attacked with menace in first half but Spurs pushed him back after the break and Vertonghen caught him sleeping to set up opener. 5 Omer Toprak: Will be disappointed with all three goals. 4 Dan-Axel Zagadou: Was good in the first half but caught out for Son’s opener before being taken off. 5 Abdou Diallo: Couldn’t get into the game in second half.

4 Mahmoud Dahoud: Produced some terrific passes but faded. 6 Axel Witsel: A solid presence in front of the defence and the goals were not his fault. 5 Thomas Delaney: Put his body on the line several times and his night deserved a better outcome. 6 4 Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho Jadon Sancho: The England winger showed his incredible talent in the first 45 and he could have had at least one goal and one assist. Went missing after half-time.

6 Christian Pulisic: Like Sancho, was very dangerous to start off but couldn’t keep it going. Lost possession too often. 5 Mario Gotze: Some lovely touches but not the best game for the World Cup winner after being deployed in a tricky role as the solo striker. 5 Substitutes Raphael Guerreiro: On late but had a fierce shot that flew just wide.

6 Marcel Schmelzer: Did little of note and was on the pitch for Tottenham’s second and third. 4 Bruun Larsen: Last-minute substitute. N/A Unused subs: Philipp, Wolf, Hitz, Balerdi. «