Madrid (AFP) – Fernando Torres was made to wait for his return to action by Diego Simeone as the former Spanish international was named among Atletico Madrid’s substitutes for Wednesday’s Champions League last 16, second leg against Bayer Leverkusen.
Torres returns to the Atletico squad for the first time since being knocked unconscious in a sickening head clash at Deportivo la Coruna two weeks ago.
Simeone makes five changes in all from the side that won 4-2 in the first leg in Germany three weeks ago.
Captain Gabi and Filipe Luis are suspended, whilst Diego Godin and Jan Oblak are fit again and Kevin Gameiro drops out through injury.
New Leverkusen boss Tayfun Korkut takes charge of his first Champions League game following Roger Schmidt’s sacking.
The visitors are without six first team regulars through injury and suspension.
However, Javier Hernandez, who scored the goal that knocked Atletico out of the Champions League when with Real Madrid two years ago starts up front.
Starting line-ups:
Atletico Madrid (4-3-3): Jan Oblak; Sime Vrsaljko, Diego Godin (captain), Jose Maria Gimenez, Lucas Hernandez; Koke, Thomas Partey, Saul Niguez; Angel Correa, Antoine Griezmann, Yannick Carrasco
Coach: Diego Simeone (ARG)
Bayer Leverkusen (4-4-2): Bernd Leno (captain); Roberto Hilbert, Tin Jedvaj, Aleksandar Dragovic, Wendell; Julian Brandt, Kevin Kampl, Julian Baumgartlinger, Karim Bellarabi; Javier Hernandez, Kevin Volland
Coach: Tayfun Korkut (TUR)
Referee: Sergei Karasev (RUS)
