MADRID — Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone says striker Mario Mandzukic will be rested to heal an injured ankle.
Simeone ruled Mandzukic out of Tuesday’s Spanish league home game against Real Sociedad, saying "we will be waiting for him to return" when his team plays Real Madrid next week.
Simeone said Mandzukic had played his last 10 matches on a hurt ankle, without specifying which leg was injured.
Atletico hosts its crosstown rival on April 14 in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal.
Mandzukic has scored a team-high 20 goals in his first season for the defending Spanish champions.
The team is in third place in the Spanish league.
