Simeone opts for soft rotation at relegation-threatened Mallorca

Diego Simeone made three changes to the side that lost to Manchester City in the Champions League as Atlético Madrid take on Mallorca in LaLiga at Visit Mallorca Stadium.

The second leg of the Man City tie takes place on Wednesday night in Madrid but Cholo has opted for a soft rotation policy ahead of it. Yannick Carrasco, Rodrigo De Paul and Luis Suárez have all come into the side in place of Renan Lodi, Šime Vrsaljko and João Félix.

Atlético lost the game at the Etihad 1-0 with a second half Kevin De Bruyne strike the difference on the night. Atlético were applauded by some for their defensive efforts on the night, but others were less complimentary. They will have to score at least once at the Wanda on Wednesday night if they are to remain in the tie.

Carrasco has missed the last three Champions League games due to suspension. He missed both legs of the Manchester United tie and the first leg of the quarter-final against City. Lodi struggled on Tuesday night and Simeone might be getting Carrasco back into the side ahead of a start for the Belgian on Wednesday.

This is also Suárez’s first start since playing 71 minutes against Osasuna in February, when he scored with an excellent lob in a 3-0 win.

Man City play Liverpool on Sunday ahead of the game on Wednesday in a clash that could decide the Premier League. Meanwhile, Mallorca are mired in a relegation battle and Simeone might think this is a good opportunity to keep Atlético’s good domestic form going with an extra day of recovery for the players.

José Giménez remains out after sustaining a muscle injury late against Alavés last weekend along with Héctor Herrera, who suffered an injury during the international break.