Post by JoeLatics on Apr 22, 2010 18:45:39 GMT
Liverpool have made the trip to the Vicente Calderon without former Atletico striker Fernando Torres.
Maxi Rodriguez is ineligible to face his former club, while defenders Fabio Aurelio, Emiliano Insua, Martin Skrtel and Martin Kelly are all injured.
But Ryan Babel is back in contention after serving a one-match ban.
Atletico are without their own star striker as Argentine Sergio Aguero is suspended, so Jose Manuel Jurado is set to partner Diego Forlan.
The Rojiblancos have struggled in La Liga this season, and a defeat at Villarreal on Saturday left them 10th, although they have a Copa del Rey final against Sevilla to look forward to.
Having failed to win a match in the Champions League group stages, Quique Sanchez Flores's side dropped into the Europa League.
They needed a last-minute Forlan strike to see off Galatasaray in the first knock-out round before squeezing past Sporting Lisbon and Valencia on away goals.
Liverpool, who have beaten Unirea Urziceni, Lille and Benfica to get to the semi-finals, arrived in Madrid on Wednesday after travelling 1200 miles by coach, train and plane.
Manager Rafael Benitez said the squad were "in a good mood" despite arriving in Spain's capital close to 24 hours after leaving Merseyside.
Benitez denied his side, who have had their own struggles domestically this season, would be favourites against Atletico.
"Not at all, I think Atletico are doing very well in this competition and it will be very difficult to overcome them," he said.
"You need to play the matches to know who is stronger.
"They may seem inconsistent looking at their results but, seeing how we are talking about a cup competition, they will try to show their best side and this will be dangerous for us."
And while Forlan described Liverpool as a "less dangerous team" without Torres, Sanchez Flores pointed out that the absence of Aguero from his own side could be equally damaging.
The Atletico manager added that he did not expect the first leg to be decisive.
"I don't see any result possible that will give us piece of mind for the return at Anfield," he said.
"Playing at Anfield is always uncomfortable, it doesn't matter what result you get in the first leg. Liverpool are a team that are capable of bouncing back and having great games.
"The important thing for us will be the collective mindset that we have, as this competition always gives very close scorelines in the first leg.
"I don't think that the tie, which is 50-50, will be decided at the Vicente Calderon. What I'm sure about is that we will have to play at a very high level."
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What score are you going for?
2-1 win to Liverpool, would be my prediction.
Updates throughout the night.
Maxi Rodriguez is ineligible to face his former club, while defenders Fabio Aurelio, Emiliano Insua, Martin Skrtel and Martin Kelly are all injured.
But Ryan Babel is back in contention after serving a one-match ban.
Atletico are without their own star striker as Argentine Sergio Aguero is suspended, so Jose Manuel Jurado is set to partner Diego Forlan.
The Rojiblancos have struggled in La Liga this season, and a defeat at Villarreal on Saturday left them 10th, although they have a Copa del Rey final against Sevilla to look forward to.
Having failed to win a match in the Champions League group stages, Quique Sanchez Flores's side dropped into the Europa League.
They needed a last-minute Forlan strike to see off Galatasaray in the first knock-out round before squeezing past Sporting Lisbon and Valencia on away goals.
Liverpool, who have beaten Unirea Urziceni, Lille and Benfica to get to the semi-finals, arrived in Madrid on Wednesday after travelling 1200 miles by coach, train and plane.
Manager Rafael Benitez said the squad were "in a good mood" despite arriving in Spain's capital close to 24 hours after leaving Merseyside.
Benitez denied his side, who have had their own struggles domestically this season, would be favourites against Atletico.
"Not at all, I think Atletico are doing very well in this competition and it will be very difficult to overcome them," he said.
"You need to play the matches to know who is stronger.
"They may seem inconsistent looking at their results but, seeing how we are talking about a cup competition, they will try to show their best side and this will be dangerous for us."
And while Forlan described Liverpool as a "less dangerous team" without Torres, Sanchez Flores pointed out that the absence of Aguero from his own side could be equally damaging.
The Atletico manager added that he did not expect the first leg to be decisive.
"I don't see any result possible that will give us piece of mind for the return at Anfield," he said.
"Playing at Anfield is always uncomfortable, it doesn't matter what result you get in the first leg. Liverpool are a team that are capable of bouncing back and having great games.
"The important thing for us will be the collective mindset that we have, as this competition always gives very close scorelines in the first leg.
"I don't think that the tie, which is 50-50, will be decided at the Vicente Calderon. What I'm sure about is that we will have to play at a very high level."
---------------------------------------------------------------
What score are you going for?
2-1 win to Liverpool, would be my prediction.
Updates throughout the night.