Shielding Atletico's back four is Simeone's main concern vs. Juventus

Atletico Madrid trained ahead of a cruical Champions League game against Juventus on Wednesday.

Centre back Diego Godin described Atletico Madrid's clash with Juventus on Wednesday as "a final," stressing that the side are desperate to make up for their slip up in Greece a fortnight ago. "Having said that, we are used to playing in finals, we have one every week," added the Uruguayan with a cheeky grin. A defeat, however, would be no laughing matter.
Los Rojiblancos go into the must-win contest at the Vicente Calderon safe in the knowledge that their inspirational leader, manager Diego Simeone, will be back on the sidelines (following yet another suspension), just as he was to orchestrate their 4-0 hammering of Sevilla at the weekend.
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Having returned victorious from Almeria for the first time ever before seeing off Sevilla, Simeone's men face their third big test in the space of a week with the visit of The Old Lady. Having performed something of an Austin Powers and regained their mojo over the last seven days, expectation levels among fans, media and players alike has risen.
Speaking to the press before the game, the Argentine coach confirmed that goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya, so impressive this season but given the night off in Piraeus as Los Colchoneros succumbed to their only defeat of the campaign thus far, will return to the starting line up. This was an acknowledgement on his part that the decision to rotate on match-day one was an error, but also served to highlight both the importance of this match, and his lack of faith in Jan Oblak.
Despite costing 16 million Euros only a couple of months ago -- a record in Spain for a goalkeeper -- the big Slovenian has yet to show the kind of form that earned him his big money switch to the Spanish capital from Benfica.
Godin spoke of a few communications issues with the stopper, who does not speak Spanish, but was adamant he would improve. Simeone, meanwhile, was not so complimentary, lavishing praise on all four of his fullbacks, bigging up his midfield options and saying he has very good strikers.
Perhaps he forgot the goalkeepers, or perhaps it was an unsubtle dig. Who knows.
While the last line of defence is not an issue, the Argentine coach will need to make a tough decision in the middle of the park, given that it is highly likely that Atleti skipper Gabi will be missing from the squad altogether with the ankle problem that saw him withdrawn after 45 minutes on Saturday.
This is probably Juventus' strongest area, and despite the fact they will be deprived of the majestic Andrea Pirlo to pull the strings, they possess a powerful trio in the form of Arturo Vidal, Claudio Marchisio and Paul Pogba, who will look to take control of the game.
Should their lynchpin not make it, as seems likely, then Simeone will need to decide if he is to entrust the task of shielding the back four alongside Tiago Mendes to the horribly out of form Mario Suarez, or whether he will move the more forward-minded Koke further back.

Koke, right, may be switched to a more defensive role to help protect Juanfran, left, and the rest of the Atletico back line when they meet Juventus on Thursday.

While Suarez may be more of a natural holder, his alarming slump in form has given the side serious problems, and the 28-year-old looks a shadow of the man who commanded a starting berth for Spain on a couple of occasions in 2013.
After Suarez was hauled off against both Olympiakos and Almeria -- not to mention missing out altogether on Saturday -- the signs point to Koke having to rein in his attacking instincts and do a defensive job for the good of the team. This would then allow youngster Saul Niguez, who scored at the weekend, to retain his place in the 11 and help bolster the middle of the park when not in possession from an unconventional position on the left; much in the way Koke usually does.
Up top, Mario Mandzukic's timely return will be appreciated. Juventus have won all six of their competitive matches thus far this campaign, and have yet to concede a goal, with veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, in particular, rolling back the years.
The Croatia international came back against Sevilla, causing no end of problems for the Andalusian outfit. Even his much-maligned replacement, Raul Jimenez, managed to nick a goal from the bench, and fans will be hoping the Mexico forward's confidence will have recovered from the battering it received from them when he was booed and whistled in the draw with Celta Vigo.
This being Atletico, fans can rest assured that even if their forwards do not fire, their backline pose a continuous threat from set pieces, with Godin's partner Joao Miranda the side's top-scorer so far this season. Be it a goal from a forward, defender or an own goal, Simeone will take a win in any way, shape or form.
Likely XI v Juventus: Moya, Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Siqueira, Tiago, Koke, Saul, Arda, Garcia, Mandzukic