Diego Costa is not fit to take to the field for Atletico Madrid in their Champions League quarter-final second-leg against Barcelona.
The Spain international was injured in last week’s first-leg 1-1 draw and hasn’t recovered sufficiently to even make the bench.
In Costa’s place are Adrian and David Villa, with Diego Simeone naming Diego Ribas among the reserves.
Atletico are otherwise at full strength with Thibaut Courtois in goal and a back four on Juanfran, Diego Godin, Miranda and Filipe Luis.
Gabi, Koke, Tiago and Raul Garcia make up Los Colchoneros’ midfield as Arda Turan’s groin injury persists, with Villa and Adrian in attack.
It has been rumoured in the Spanish Press that Tata Martino will deploy Cesc Fabregas as a false nine and the former Arsenal captain is in the Barcelona starting XI.
Should the speculation prove correct then Fabregas would join Lionel Messi and Neymar in the Catalans’ front three.
That would mean a midfield of Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez with the defence comprising Dani Alves, Marc Bartra, Javier Mascherano and Jordi Alba. Jose Pinto takes the gloves.
Atletico Madrid: Courtois; Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Filipe; Koke, Gabi, Tiago, Garcia; Adrian, Villa
Barcelona: Pinto; Alves, Mascherano, Bartra, Alba; Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta; Messi, Cesc, Neymar
