Atletico Madrid Champions League final starting team
Diego Costa has returned from his controversial horse placenta treatment in Belgrade and the striker could make a shock return for Atletico Madrid in Saturday’s Champions League final.
On Sunday Atletico Madrid were resigned to playing Saturday’s Champions League final without star striker Diego Costa. However, the Brazilian born Spain international has flown to Belgrade to undergo a controversial horse placenta treatment on his hamstring tear and was in training with the side on Thursday.
Costa may yet break down in the days before the final but, at the moment, it looks as though the 25-year-old will start against Real Madrid in Lisbon on Saturday night.
His team mate Arda Turan may not be so lucky and so Raul Garcia is likely to be one of a trio of players lining up behind Costa. The other two will be Spanish internationals Koke and David Villa. The latter scored on his last appearance in a Champions League final when Barcelona beat Manchester United in the 2011 showpiece.
Tiago and Gabi, who have been almost ever present for La Liga champions will form a solid base in midfield and will look to wrest control from Real Madrid’s Luka Modric and Asier Illarramendi. They will also provide protection for the meanest back four in both La Liga and in the Champions League.
The quarter of Miranda, Filipe Luis, Diego Godin and Juanfran have guarded Thibaut Courtois’s goal admirably this season and have shut out Real Madrid already this season. They will be primed for the threat of Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria and will be determined to stop Los Galacticos from scoring.
Atletico Madrid starting team (probable):
Courtois, Godin, Miranda, Juanfran, Luis, Tiago, Gabi, Koke, Raul Garcia, David Villa, Diego Costa
