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La Liga
Feb 21, 2016 at 7.30pm UK
 
Villarreal logo

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Team News: Two changes for Atletico Madrid

Diego Simeone makes two changes to the Atletico XI for the visit of Villarreal in La Liga.

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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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico19135134122244
2Real Madrid19134243192443
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal198653431330
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad198471713428
8GironaGirona198472725228
9Rayo Vallecano196762222025
10Real BetisBetis196762123-225
11Osasuna196762328-525
12Celta Vigo197392830-224
13Sevilla196582128-723
14Las PalmasLas Palmas196492429-522
15Getafe194781316-319
16Leganes194781829-1119
17AlavesAlaves1945102131-1017
18Espanyol1944111731-1416
19Real ValladolidValladolid1943121337-2415
20Valencia1927101829-1113


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