Romero's adductor strain and Koke's hamstring rule both out of Atlético's Stuttgart clash

Atlético Madrid head to VfB Stuttgart for their Champions League meeting on Tuesday, 20 October without Cristian Romero and Koke, two of Diego Simeone’s most established players. Romero suffered a small adductor strain during the 1-0 win at Espanyol on Saturday, 17 October, asking to come off during the match, while Koke continues to manage a left hamstring problem.

Romero’s injury is expected to keep him out beyond Stuttgart, with the Argentina international also set to miss next weekend’s home fixture against Deportivo A Coruña. The defender has been a significant figure in Simeone’s backline since joining the club — his late winner against Alavés was among his recent contributions — making his absence a meaningful disruption to Atlético’s defensive shape.

Koke was already absent for the Espanyol match due to the hamstring strain and is also grieving the death of his mother, who passed away on Tuesday, 13 October. No return timetable has been set for the club captain.

Johnny Cardoso, who missed the Espanyol win with gastroenteritis, has recovered and was named in the travelling squad after training in the gym on Sunday, 18 October.

Atlético arrive in Germany on a six-match winning streak, though their record on German soil is a difficult one: Simeone’s side have lost eight of their 10 games there, with their last victory coming against Bayer Leverkusen in 2017. Stuttgart, meanwhile, have collected six points from their opening two Champions League league-phase matches but have never beaten a Spanish club in European competition, drawing three and losing five of their eight such meetings.