Diego Simeone calls two Atlético starlets up to training ahead of Lille

Two up-and-coming members of the defensive ranks at La Liga giants Atlético Madrid were on Tuesday afforded call-ups to first-team training.

That’s according to Mundo Deportivo, who have provided an insight into the latest developments behind the scenes in Spain’s capital.

Atlético, of course, find themselves in something of a defensive crisis at present.

This comes after the already sidelined pair of Robin Le Normand and César Azpilicueta were joined on the treatment table by Clément Lenglet over the weekend.

Boss Diego Simeone and his coaching staff, in turn, have been forced to get creative ahead of their return to action on the continent on Wednesday.

As confirmed by Mundo Deportivo, reserve team stoppers Ilias Kostis and Gero Spina were both spotted in senior training in Madrid this morning.

Whilst Simeone still has the trio of Axel Witsel, Reinildo Mandava and José María Giménez at his disposal to face Lille, it is in turn considered a real possibility that one of Kostis or Spina could be afforded a call-up for tomorrow’s Metropolitano clash.

Conor Laird – GSFN