Wednesday, March 7, 2012

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08.03. (Thu) 19:00 Atletico Madrid - Besiktas

Liga BBVA: Atlético de Madrid-Barcelona: Radamel Falcao
Getty

PROBABLE LINEUPS

ATLETICO MADRID

Courtois
Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Filipe
Suarez, Tiago
Adrian, Gabi, Koke
Falcao
BESIKTAS

Gonen
Toraman, Sivok, Sidnei, Gulum
Kavlak, Ernst, Uysal
Quaresma, Simao
Almeida

Atletico Madrid trio Antonio Lopez, Diego and Arda Turan will almost certainly sit out Thursday's Europa League last-16 first-leg clash with Besiktas due to injury.

Brazilian midfielder Paulo Assuncao is suspended, while Radamel Falcao and Diego Godin are available for selection having missed Saturday's draw at Sevilla through suspension.

Besiktas, who lost 2-1 to city rivals Trabzonspor at the weekend, will be without injured duo Egemen Korkmaz and Roberto Hilbert for the trip to the Spanish capital.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • Atletico Madrid have never lost to Turkish opposition at the Vicente Calderon (W2 D3). Their overall record against Turkish sides is W6 D3 L1.
  • Los Colchoneros have won their last six European home games, since losing 3-2 to Aris Thessaloniki in last season's Europa League group stage.
  • The 2010 Europa League winners have suffered just one defeat since Diego Simeone was appointed coach in December - a 2-1 loss to Barcelona on 26 February.
  • Besiktas have never won on Spanish soil in seven attempts (D1 L6).
  • The Black Eagles have won just two of their last nine matches in all competitions.
  • Simao (pictured right) scored 20 goals in 113 Liga games for Atletico between 2007 and 2010.
Prediction
The absence of Diego and Turan is a blow for home side, who are without a win in La Liga since January. However, the visitors are going through a wretched run of results themselves, and Atletico will fancy their chances of taking a lead to Istanbul for the second leg.
Editor's Prediction
Atl. Madrid 1-0 BeÅŸiktaÅŸ