Atletico de Madrid vs Galatasaray - Atletico set for Juanfran boost in key Galatasaray clash

Posted Wednesday, November 25, 2015 by PA

Spain defender Juanfran is expected to return to the starting line-up as Atletico Madrid bid to secure a place in the last 16 of the Champions League with victory over Group C rivals Galatasaray.

Juanfran returned to full training on Monday after missing the weekend win against Real Betis due to a thigh injury, but coach Diego Simeone has doubts over Colombia striker Jackson Martinez (ankle).

Atletico will ensure qualification for the knockout stages with victory and would all but guarantee a top-two finish if they draw against Galatasaray, amid heightened security at the Vicente Calderon Stadium, as the Turkish side have a far inferior goal difference.

Police presence at the stadium will be increased by 30 per cent in the wake of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, it has been reported.

Fernando Torres is expected to start up front again in the absence of Martinez and will be looking to finally net his 100th goal for Atletico, who leapfrogged city rivals Real Madrid into second place in their domestic league after Sunday's 1-0 win at Real Betis.

Simeone's side, aiming to stretch their unbeaten run in all competitions to nine matches, have a formidable Champions League home record with defeat to Group C leaders Benfica in September their first at Vicente Calderon in 11 matches.

Galatasaray are hoping to put their poor form on the road in the Champions League behind them and will bid for victory to keep their hopes of qualification alive.

Mustafa Denizli returned for a third spell as the Turkish side's new manager this week after the recent sacking of Hamza Hamzaoglu, with Galatasaray currently third in their domestic league, seven points behind leaders Besiktas.

Denizli, the only coach to win the Turkish league title with three different clubs, said after his appointment on Monday: "It's a great honour to be here.

"A difficult and challenging task is waiting for me now. I am excited to be back with the only club for which I would risk my successes, my reputation."

But Denizli will not be in Madrid with his new side. Galatasaray's goalkeeping coach, the Brazilian Claudio Taffarel, will take charge and will be without suspended pair Selcuk Inan and Burak Yilmaz, while Hamit Altintop (knee) and Lionel Carole (hamstring) are still unavailable.

Galatasaray have drawn two and lost eight of their past 10 Champions League games away from Istanbul, while their most recent success was a 3-2 win at Schalke in the round-of-16 second leg in March 2013.