Torres absence turns focus on hosts' fans

Atletico in spotlight for Liverpool visit over fans' violence and racism

By Glenn Moore in Madrid

Wednesday, 22 October 2008

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GETTY IMAGES

Torres will miss the clash with his former club through injury

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Given all the focus on personalities and controversies it has almost been forgotten that in the Vicente Calderon tonight three points, and probable qualification to the knock-out stages of the Champions League, are at stake. That will certainly be the case if Liverpool, with two home matches to follow, win this Group D tie.

The wider world, though, and especially Uefa, will be looking at more than just the result. The evening was originally billed as Fernando Torres's emotional return to his old club, a nice romantic tale. That storyline has, however, been written out after Torres suffered a hamstring injury playing for Spain a week ago. In its place is a more sinister plot. Last week Uefa ordered the fixture to be moved at least 300km as a punishment for the racist behaviour during, and poor organization of, Atletico's match against Marseilles earlier this month, their first-ever home Champions League tie.

Among the factors exacerbating the alleged racist abuse of Marseilles players, the visiting team coach was attacked by "ultras" and their supporters by police. Following representations from Liverpool, aware that 3,000 Reds fans had booked flights and accommodation, the sanction has been suspended but Uefa has made clear it is watching carefully.

In Spain the allegations have been strongly denied but that argument was seriously undermined when, during Atletico's derby with Real Madrid on Saturday, a huge, and hugely provocative banner was raised in the home end reading "JORG HAIDER D.E.P" (this translates as Sleep In Peace, or RIP). Haider was an extreme right-wing Austrian politician who died in his home country last week.

While Torres has not even travelled, Liverpool may field four Spaniards including Pepe Reina, whose father played for Atletico, and Xabi Alonso. To accommodate Alonso and Javier Mascherano, Steven Gerrard could move to the flank. For Atletico former Liverpool players Luis Garcia and Florent Sinema-Pongolle, and long-time target Simao Sabrosa, are under consideration with Javier Aguirre seeking to shake up his team.

Atletico are currently eighth in La Liga with the Czech defender Tomas Ujfalusi their latest injury victim. They will also be without the advice of Aguirre. The coach has been banned from all contact with his team tonight after abusing a Marseilles player.

Atletico v Liverpool: Match details

Atletico

Leo Franco

Giourkas Seitaridis

Luis Perea

John Heitinga

Antonio Lopez

Paulo Assuncao

Luis Garcia

Maniche

Simao

Sergio Aguero