Atletico Madrid squad for Stuttgart: Cardoso returns as Koke and Cuti Romero miss out

Atletico Madrid head to Stuttgart on Monday morning ahead of Tuesday's third matchday in the Champions League league phase. Before setting off, the club announced its squad list for the clash against the German side, a 24-man selection featuring the return of Johnny Cardoso and the absence of Koke and Cuti Romero, both ruled out through injury.

• Diego Simeone has called up 24 players for the Champions League visit to Stuttgart.
• Johnny Cardoso returns to the squad after missing the Espanyol match through illness.
• Koke remains sidelined with a muscle injury, while Cuti Romero has a strain that will keep him out for two games.
• The Atletico party lands in Germany at 13:30 local time and will stay at the Le Meridien hotel.
• Simeone speaks to the press at 17:45, before the team trains at the MHPArena.

Cardoso back as Atletico lose two key pieces

The main piece of team news is the return of Johnny Cardoso. The United States midfielder was unavailable at the RCDE Stadium due to illness, but he has recovered in time and travels with the squad to face Stuttgart. His presence gives Simeone an extra option in midfield during a week in which the coach has to reshuffle several areas of the team.

Koke and Cuti Romero, however, do not make the trip. The Atletico captain is still working his way back from a muscle injury. Even more concerning is the absence of the centre-back, who suffered a muscle strain against Espanyol. The defender is set to miss the team's next two matches, a blow for Simeone, who regards him as one of the most important pieces in his line-up.

Atletico Madrid's full squad list for Stuttgart

A total of 24 players have travelled to Germany. In goal are Oblak, Musso and Esquivel. The defensive options are Llorente, Pubill, Dani Martinez, Hancko, Le Normand, Grimaldo and Dominguez. In midfield Simeone has named Cardoso, Barrios, Hjulmand, Mendoza, Vargas, Castillo, Baena and Kang-in Lee. Up front are Julian Alvarez, Sorloth, Lookman, Giuliano, Arnau and Jonathan David.

What is at stake for Atletico on matchday three

The Stuttgart match arrives at a significant moment in the Champions League league phase. Under the new format, every point matters in the race for a strong position in the overall table and a smoother path through the knockout rounds. Atletico will push for a positive result away from home to strengthen their European start, even though they must do so without two of their key figures.

Atletico's schedule and plans in Germany

The squad is due to land in Stuttgart at 13:30 local time and will be based at the Le Meridien hotel. Later in the day, at 17:45, Diego Simeone will appear at a press conference alongside a player. Forty-five minutes after that, the team will take to the pitch at the MHPArena for their final training session before the game.

Frequently asked questions about the Atletico squad