FC Astana vs Atletico de Madrid - Astana coach Stanimir Stoilov to field strongest team against Atletico

Posted Tuesday, November 03, 2015 by PA

Astana coach Stanimir Stoilov will field his strongest side against Group C leaders Atletico Madrid in Tuesday's Champions League clash despite his club's title decider against Aktobe several days later.

The defending Kazakh champions won 1-0 at home to Irtysh on Saturday to remain one point clear of Kairat Almaty at the top of the domestic standings heading into their final league game of the season, at home to Aktobe.

A fortnight ago, Stoilov rested several starters in view of their domestic campaign and his side suffered a 4-0 hammering at Atletico Madrid.

Astana have clinched just one point from their opening three Group C games in their debut campaign in the competition.

Stoilov had hoped his team would have already clinched the domestic title heading into their midweek game against Atletico but Astana still have some work to do.

"We have a difficult week ahead of us," Stoilov said on his club's official website. "But we are going to play the best we can against Atletico and against Aktobe.

"We have a very tight schedule, a game every three days.

"We know that Atletico is strong, but we will play at the maximum. Our plan is to play football and do everything to win.

"As I've already mentioned, we are ready to fight until the end on three fronts - the Champions League, the league and the (domestic) cup.

"My players are ready physically and we must be prepared mentally."

Astana have scored just two goals while giving away eight in Europe's elite club competition but are hoping to remain in contention for Europa League football.

To claim a spot in that competition and start playing games in that competition in January, they must beat Galatasaray to third place.

Gala currently hold that position and are three points clear of Astana heading into their game at Benfica.

Atletico, coached by Diego Simeone, are level on six points with Benfica but lead the standings on goal difference.

The Spaniards have made the seven-hour flight journey from Madrid to Kazakhstan and are determined to clinch their third win in the competition.

"It's strange to travel so many hours in order to play a Champions League game but this will not be an excuse for us not to hand in a good performance," Atletico forward Jackson Martinez said on his club's official website.

"We are really motivated to win this game.

"We know Astana will make life difficult for us and we expect a different game than with respect to that of two weeks ago.

"They are playing at home and will be more concentrated. We need to go into this game fully focused and showing plenty of grit."

Atletico are unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions, while forward Fernando Torres searches for his 100th for the club.

They drew 1-1 at Deportivo La Coruna on Friday to drop to fourth in the standings, four points adrift La Liga leaders Real Madrid.

The Spaniards are without Luciano Vietto, who is recovering from an appendectomy, while Angel Correa has not made the journey to Kazakhstan for personal reasons.

The hosts are without suspended forward Patrick Twumasi.