Champions League injury report - 20/02/19: Double blow for Manchester City

Rounding off the first leg of the round of 16 ties in the Champions League, there could be some significant players both missing due to and returning from injury in Wednesday night’s double.

Atletico Madrid vs Juventus

As far as the home side are concerned, Diego Simeone is set to be without the versatile Lucas Hernandez after the defender missed their clash with Rayo Vallecano at the weekend due to a knee injury. Diego Costa returned to action from the bench in that game but after two months out he’s likely to have to make do with a similar role, meaning Alvaro Morata starts against a second former club since he followed his new club mate from Chelsea to Atleti.

Elsewhere Koke was also unavailable to the coach on Saturday but has a better chance of coming back into contention, though Thomas Partey is back available following a suspension and is more likely to get the nod either way.

In terms of Juventus, Max Allegri has very few concerns ahead of the trip to Madrid, with Juan Cuadrardo the only long term absentee. Instead his dilemma will be how to lineup his side, with Sami Khedira and Emre Can both impressing at the weekend with Miralem Pjanic and Blaise Matuidi rested.

Schalke vs Manchester City

The visitors have already flown out to Germany ahead of their match in Gelsenkirchen, with Vincent Kompany fit enough to make the travelling squad. However, despite returning to training on Monday Benjamin Mendy has not made the 20-man party, staying behind with Fabian Delph.

Elsewhere both John Stones and Gabriel Jesus have also been ruled out due to injury, leaving Pep Guardiola a little light of options at either end of the pitch. Oleksandr Zinchenko will likely start at left-back given the shortage of cover at centre-back, with Aymeric Laporte needed at the heart of the defence given Kompany’s lack of match fitness.

As far as the hosts are concerned they will almost certainly be without four players for the visit of the English champions, with the injured attacking trio of Steven Skrzybski, Alessandro Schopf and Breel Embolo joining the suspended Omar Mascarell on the sidelines. Benjamin Stambouli is also a doubt, though Daniel Caligiuri is back following a suspension, allowing American youngster Weston McKennie to return to a more familiar role in midfield.