Milan go with Mario Balotelli, Kaka, Andrea Poli and Adel Taarabt against Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa this evening.

The Champions League Round of 16 tie kicks off at 19.45 GMT at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid.

Milan go with Mario Balotelli, Kaka, Andrea Poli and Adel Taarabt against Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa this evening.

The Champions League Round of 16 tie kicks off at 19.45 GMT at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid.

The Rossoneri have to overturn a 1-0 first leg home defeat if they are to progress in the competition.

Riccardo Montolivo is suspended and Keisuke Honda cup-tied, but Sulley Muntari’s ban has now expired.

Balotelli starts his first game since suffering a shoulder injury in the first leg and is supported by Kaka, Taarabt and Andrea Poli.

Michael Essien is in midfield with Nigel De Jong, while Poli starts despite suffering a head injury on Saturday.

Balotelli, De Jong and Ignazio Abate are all one booking away from suspension in the quarter-final.

Diego Costa scored in the first leg from a corner and was also in action with his Spain debut against Italy in a 1-0 friendly result last Wednesday.

David Villa is on the bench just days after netting a brace in Saturday’s win over Celta Vigo, a game that saw Diego Costa, Diego Godin and Arda Turan suspended.

Javi Manquillo and Tiago are still out of action, but Filipe Luis is back in the starting XI while Raul Garcia and Emiliano Insua are one booking away from a ban.

Milan’s chances of getting a victory at the Vicente Calderon are not reassuring, as Atleti have won 15 of their last 16 home games in Europe.

The only setback in that otherwise perfect record was a 2-0 defeat to Rubin Kazan in the Europa League in February 2013.

Diego Simeone’s side are also unbeaten in the Champions League this season, the only team along with Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid to have that honour.

The Rossoneri have lost their last two Serie A games without scoring and it’s the first time this season they have suffered two consecutive top flight defeats.

The referee for tonight’s encounter is English official Mark Clattenburg. Milan will wear their gold strip.

Atletico Madrid: Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Filipe Luis; Arda Turan, Gabi, Mario Suarez, Koke; Raul Garcia; Diego Costa

Atletico Madrid bench: Aranzubia, Alderweireld, Insua, Cristian Rodriguez, Sosa, Diego, Villa

Milan: Abbiati; Abate, Rami, Bonera, Emanuelson; De Jong, Essien; Taarabt, Poli, Kaka; Balotelli

Milan bench: Amelia, De Sciglio, Mexes, Zaccardo, Muntari, Robinho, Pazzini

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