ATLETICO MADRID could be without captain Koke for the Champions League last-16 tie with Manchester United.
Reports in Spain claim the key midfielder picked up an injury in the 3-0 weekend win over Osasuna and missed training with his team-mates on Monday.
Atletico Madrid captain Koke could miss the Champions League clash with Man Utd
Reports in Spain suggest Luis Suarez could be dropped
Koke, 30, has started all six of Atletico’s group matches in the competition this season.
And the 61-cap Spanish ace has not missed a match in the Champions League since November 2018.
Atletico will check Koke’s fitness but if he fails to recover it would be a big blow for Diego Simeone’s side.
And the Argentine boss could be facing a selection crisis ahead of Wednesday’s first leg clash at the Wanda Metropolitano with Matheus Cunha and Daniel Wass also sidelined.
Thomas Lemar and Benjamin Lecomte are doubts too after missing training over the weekend.
While Yannick Carrasco and Felipe are both suspended.
Defending LaLiga champions Atletico are suffering a nightmare season, languishing fifth in the table – 15 points behind city rivals Real Madrid – and are already out of the Copa Del Rey.
And Spanish outlet AS reported on Monday morning that Simeone is set to switch from his customary 4-4-2 line-up for must-win United clash.
They say Atletico lined up with five at the back in training, with Angel Correa and Joao Felix in attack.
That would leave no room for Liverpool icon Luis Suarez against his former rivals.
Antoine Griezmann was also absent having recently returned from a thigh injury.
Paul Pogba is set to keep his place in the Man Utd midfield, after playing for an hour in the 4-2 in over Leeds at the weekend.
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