Atletico Madrid missing Llorente and Cardoso for Barcelona clash | OneFootball

Atletico Madrid lost the Madrid derby at the Bernabeu for the first time in five years, and now host Barcelona with Marcos Llorente and Johnny Cardoso suspended.

According to Football Espana, Llorente, who started at right-back, and midfielder Cardoso were booked on Sunday, triggering one-match bans for the visit of Barcelona.

Diego Simeone’s midfield options are further thinned, with Rodrigo Mendoza and Pablo Barrios also set to miss out through injury, though both are racing to be fit for the Copa del Rey final in two weeks. There is hope Jan Oblak and Marc Pubill could return from injury.

Captain Koke Resurreccion is likely to anchor midfield, partnered by one of Obed Vargas or Alex Baena. The former is the more natural holding player, the latter the more experienced.

Many Atletico fans will not be overly concerned. It will be an excuse for Simeone to rest both ahead of their Champions League quarter-final first leg at Camp Nou four days later. With a hefty advantage over fifth-placed Real Betis and their title challenge over, the Champions League will take priority.

Source: Football Espana