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How will Atlético cope without Koke?

As Club Atlético de Madrid confirm that Koke will be out for four games, Spain-based Richard Martin ponders their options and says they may just have the perfect replacement.

Koke celebrates with Arda Turan after scoring during their group stage against Malmö
Koke celebrates with Arda Turan after scoring during their group stage against Malmö ©AFP/Getty Images

There was not much for Club Atlético de Madrid to complain about after their imperious 4-0 victory over Real Madrid CF on Saturday, but the sight of Koke hobbling off at the Vicente Calderón provided a black mark nonetheless.

On Monday it was confirmed the Spain midfielder has a hamstring injury that rules him out for four games, chief among them the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie, at Bayer 04 Leverkusen. How, people are asking, will Atlético cope without a talismanic player who has set up 12 goals this season in Liga and UEFA Champions League?

Atleti coach Diego Simeone is blessed with one of the strongest squads in Europe and Koke's absence, although significant at such a crucial stage of the campaign, need not cripple the Spanish champions' ambitions. It appears he has two clear choices.

Option one
Atlético's 4-4-2 formation has served them rather well in recent years but there is some flexibility. Against Rayo Vallecano de Madrid last month (when Koke was out with a knock), Simeone employed Gabi, Tiago and Mario Suárez in midfield with Arda Turan joining Mario Mandžukić and Antoine Griezmann in a three-pronged attack. The experiment paid off handsomely, with Griezmann finding plenty of room on the left and getting Atlético's first two goals in a comfortable 3-1 win.

Saúl Ñiguez makes it 2-0 against Madrid
Saúl Ñiguez makes it 2-0 against Madrid©AFP/Getty Images

Option two
It was 0-0 when Koke went off against Madrid – they did not do too badly without him. His replacement Saúl Ñíguez excelled, contributing expertly to Atlético's pressing game, scoring a brilliant overhead kick to make it 2-0, then teeing up Griezmann for No3. The 20-year-old seems a natural choice for Sunday's trip to RC Celta de Vigo, and Simeone has always had big plans for him anyway. Maybe sooner rather than later.

Indeed, the boss reserved special praise for the Spanish Under-21 international: "He has to be patient and that's difficult for young players because they have that rebellious spirit, but we need that rebellious spirit and that patience to keep on building our team. He reminds me of Koke and [José María] Giménez and it was no surprise to me when he scored a goal and provided an assist."