Leo Franco and Assunção, novelties against Racing

Atlético de Madrid held its final training session at the facilities at the Ciudad Deportiva in Majadahonda behind closed doors on Saturday morning. The practice lasted an hour-and-a-half and allowed the players to smooth out the final details for the league match against Racing de Santander on Sunday night (9 pm).

As usual, Mexican manager Javier Aguirre released the starting eleven that will take on the side from Cantabria, which will be the same as against PSV, but with the exceptions of Leo Franco and Assunçao. The squad will be formed by the following players: Leo Franco; Seitaridis, Heitinga, Ujfalusi, Pernía; Assunção, Maniche, Maxi, Simão; Forlán and Kun Agüero.

Antonio López has been left off the list for the rojiblancos, as he continues to recover from the vertigo problems that have kept the Atleti defender off the pitch for several weeks, although in the last few days he has been training on the pitch at the Ciudad Deportiva and has participated in some drills with the group. It is undoubtedly a good piece of news which shows his progress.

In spite of the fact that Colombian international Luis Amaranto Perea has been given medical clearance after his infection with glandular inflammation in his left thigh, the Mexican manager and his coaching staff have decided to leave him off the list as a precaution. Additionally, Ignacio Camacho, Ángel Bernabé and Álvaro Domínguez will not be available to Aguirre due to coach’s decision.

Therefore, the list of players called up for the Racing de Santander match is as follows:

GOALKEEPERS
1 Coupet.
25 Leo Franco.

DEFENDERS
2 Seitaridis.
4 Pernía.
5 Heitinga.
17 Ujfalusi.
22 Pablo Ibáñez.

MIDFIELDERS
8 Raúl García.
9 Luis García.
11 Maxi Rodríguez.
12 Paulo Assunção.
16 Éver Banega.
18 Maniche.
19 Miguel de las Cuevas.
20 Simão.

STRIKERS
7 Forlán.
10 Kun Agüero.
14 Sinama-Pongolle.

N. Barba
PHOTOS: Ángel Gutiérrez
Translation: Perry Hammond