Julián Álvarez and Jonathan David start together for Atlético in Stuttgart

UEFA confirms the Atleti line-up and it brings a surprise: a strike partnership of Julián and Jonathan David. Nacho Donado looks at who misses out and why Julián works better with another forward beside him.

The official line-up came through at quarter to nine, and Rubén Uría broke it down live: Oblak; Llorente, Hancko, Pubill, Grimaldo; Barrios and Morten Hjulmand in midfield; Giuliano Simeone on the right and Baena on the left. The headline was up front: Julián Álvarez and Jonathan David starting together. Giuliano, who had been spotted walking around with headphones on, prompting speculation that he would be on the bench, was in the starting XI after all.

Nacho Donado, reporting from the stadium, pointed to Kangin Lee as the one to lose out: he started the season on fire, but since the international break he has dropped off from that spectacular level. Simeone has gone for a more orthodox shape with two strikers, something Donado had already sensed after the game against Espanyol, when he concluded that Julián plays better with another forward alongside him.