Atletico Madrid will be without midfielders Koke and Johnny Cardoso when they travel north to face Espanyol in LaLiga on October 17th.

Diego Simeone’s side have made an impressive start to the domestic season, winning six of their eight matches. That run includes a 2-1 derby victory over Real Madrid last month.

They also claimed their first UEFA Champions League win in midweek, beating Manchester United 2-0 at home. The visitors played the closing stages with 10 men after Leny Yoro was sent off.

Club captain Koke was absent from the Manchester United match following the death of his mother and is expected to be given an extended period away for personal reasons.

Cardoso is also set to miss the Espanyol fixture because of illness.

Both players are expected to return to contention for Atletico Madrid’s UEFA Champions League trip to VfB Stuttgart on October 20th.