Atletico de Madrid vs FC Astana - Torres hoping Atletico pick up points against Astana

Posted Wednesday, October 21, 2015 by PA

A sense of urgency has gripped Atletico Madrid ahead of Wednesday night's Champions League home game against Astana.

The Spanish outfit won their Group C opener at Galatasaray but then lost 2-1 at home to Benfica in their last European match.

Atletico are second in the pool but three points adrift of pacesetters Benfica and just two above Galatasaray and Astana after two games, while tournament newcomers Astana of Kazakhstan fell 2-0 at Benfica before holding Galatasaray to a 2-2 draw.

"We didn't expect to lose against Benfica," Atletico striker Fernando Torres told Marca. "That means we are in need of points.

"Our short-term aim is to progress to the next round. We also want to finish top of our group.

"We know that in order to do that, we need to clinch six points in our next two games against Astana before taking on Benfica and Galatasaray in our final group games."

Torres, whose next goal will be his 100th for Atletico, is expected to start against Astana after coming on as a second-half substitute in his team's 2-0 Primera Division triumph over Real Sociedad on Sunday.

The victory allowed the Rojiblancos to halt a three-game winless run in all competitions and climb to fourth in the standings, two points adrift of league leaders Real Madrid.

Atletico, coached by Diego Simeone, will not have Luciano Vietto available as he recovers from an appendectomy.

Astana travel to the Vicente Calderon stadium with one eye on Sunday's crucial match at Kairat.

The defending Kazakh champions won 2-1 at home to Ordabasy on Saturday to remain five points adrift of league leaders Kairat with four games remaining in the domestic competition.

"Now we have to play a decisive match against Kairat Almaty," Astana coach Stanimir Stoilov said on his club's official website.

"We will send all the power to win in Almaty. If we win, we will have chances for the championship.

"If not - I think it will be very difficult."

Stoilov is expected to rest some players against Atletico in view of Sunday's game in Almaty, including pivotal midfielder Roger Canas.

"We are realistic," Stoilov said. "We know that Atletico are better than us and we have to think of the game with Kairat.

"But against Atletico we will try to play at our highest level."

Astana, who have only scored once in their last five away games in European competition, have to overcome the absence of Guana forward Patrick Twumasi, who is suspended.

Antoine Griezmann is set to start with the French forward having scored two goals and set up one more in Atletico's opening two games in the competition.