10 players at risk of Champions League suspension for Atletico Madrid and Barcelona | OneFootball

Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are monitoring suspension risks as they push for Champions League quarter-finals, with several players one caution from missing a potential first leg.

MD highlights that six Atletico players are a booking away, namely Giuliano Simeone, Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill, Clement Lenglet, Robin Le Normand, Thiago Almada and Pablo Barrios, ahead of the second leg with Tottenham. Los Colchoneros lead 5-2 from the first game and are expected to go through comfortably in London.

Diego Simeone is unlikely to start Lenglet or Almada, and Barrios is out until after the international break. Giuliano, Llorente and Pubill are key starters, so the coach may rest or withdraw them early.

Barcelona have four players at risk, with Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Gerard Martin and Marc Casado all a caution from a ban. A ban for Yamal would be the headline. After a 1-1 draw at St James’ Park, they must beat Newcastle United at Camp Nou and are favourites to do so.

Lopez and Martin are starters who would be missed if booked again, while a ban for Casado would further thin Hansi Flick’s midfield options.

After the international break the rivals meet in La Liga at the Metropolitano, and, if they also draw each other in Europe, they would play three times in nine to 11 days. Between those fixtures, Barcelona host Espanyol, and Atletico have the Copa del Rey final the weekend after the second leg against Real Sociedad. If they advance, the only players expected to miss the quarter-finals are Rodrigo Mendoza, Barrios and Andreas Christensen.

Source: Football Espana