Good evening all and thanks for joining us as we bring you live coverage of the Europa League as Sporting Lisbon take on Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their quarter-final clash in Portugal. Goals from Koke and Antoine Griezmann in the first leg have put tonight's visitors into a 2-0 lead heading into this contest. Sporting are now facing a real uphill battle to make it into the semi-finals.

ATLETICO MADRID STARTING XI: Oblak; Juanfran, Savic, Godin, Lucas; Gabi, Saul, Vitolo, Koke; Griezmann, Costa

ATLETICO MADRID SUBSTITUTES: Werner, Vrsaljko, Gimenez, Thomas, Torres, Correa, Gameiro

While we wait for Sporting to announce their side, let's run through Madrid's starting XI. Diego Simeone has, as expected, gone with a 4-4-2 that sees both Griezmann and Diego Costa leading the line away from home. The visitors will be relying on a four-man midfield made up of Koke, Saul Niguez, Gabi and Vitolo.

Gabi played 19 minutes against Real Madrid at the weekend and his return to the side could be crucial away from home. At the back, Atletico feature Juanfran, Stefan Savic, Diego Godin and youngster Lucas Hernandez. Jan Oblak starts in goal.

SPORTING LISBON STARTING XI: Patricio; Pinto, Coates, Mathieu, Ristovski; Fernandes, Battaglia; Martins, Ruiz, Acuna; Montero

SPORTING LISBON SUBSTITUTES: Salin, Ribeiro, Petrovic, Palhinha, Doumbia, Balde, Barbosa

It appears as though Jesus has opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation that has frontman Fredy Montero starting alone in attack, while creative support will be provided by Marcos Acuna, Alan Ruiz and Gelson Martins from slightly deeper. The hosts are missing top scorer Bas Dost through suspension tonight.

Bruno Fernandes and Rodrigo Battaglia have been tasked with holding the midfield, while Sebastian Coates and Jeremy Mathieu start in the heart of defence. Stefan Ristovski comes in at left-back for Fabio Coentrao who is out through suspension. There is also no place in the matchday squad for an injured William Carvalho.

Atletico are now hunting for their third Europa League crown after being knocked out of the Champions League group stages. The Madrid club have won five in a row having entered the Europa in the knockout stages.

Simeone's men are on the brink of moving into the semi-finals of the tournament after beating Lisbon 2-0 in the first leg in Spain, preventing the Portuguese side from scoring any away goals too.

In the two previous rounds before this one, Atletico brushed aside FC Copenhagen in the round of 32 before beating Russian league leaders Lokomotiv Moskva in the last 16. In those four matches, Madrid won all four games and notched 13 goals in the process. Atletico are the only club to have a perfect record in the knockout rounds this season.

Koke opened the scoring in the Spanish capital after just 22 seconds before Griezmann doubled his side's lead 40 minutes into the first leg of this clash at the Wanda Metropolitano last week. The victory saw Atletico earn a fourth successive European clean sheet on home soil.

Simeone's men are actually unbeaten across the entirety of their European travels this term, after three draws on the road in the Champions League followed by two knockout wins in this tournament.

Looking at the team's longer-term away record in this cup, Atletico have won seven on the bounce, scoring 19 and conceding only four. Madrid have lost only once in 11 on the road in the Europa League, winning eight and drawing the other two. The club also have two monumental wins on neutral ground having won the tournament in Hamburg in 2010 and again two years later in Bucharest in 2012.

This season represents only the second time in eight attempts that Atleti have failed to progress beyond the group stages of the Champions League. Having said that, that only other occasion came during the 2009-10 season when they actually went on to win this competition.

Europe has proven to be a rather positive stomping ground for Simeone's Atletico in recent years. Madrid have featured in two Champions League finals and reached the quarter-finals and semi-finals in the two other seasons since winning the Europa League in 2012.

Looking forward in the competition, Atletico are the only former Europa League winners remaining in the quarter-finals. The only other side left with similar European success is CSKA Moscow, who managed to lift the UEFA Cup back in 2005.

Domestically, Madrid last featured in La Liga when they drew 1-1 in the derby against city rivals Real Madrid at the weekend. Simeone's men currently sit in second spot in the standings with seven games to play. Barcelona appear to be running away with the league, leaving Atletico looking over their shoulder at third-placed Valencia who are three points behind them.

Lisbon also finished third in their Champions League group spot. The Portuguese club beat Astana 6-4 on aggregate in the round of 32 before scraping beyond Viktoria Plzen in extra time of their last-16 clash, thanks to Rodrigo Battaglia's adroit header.

Sporting have plenty of experience in this tournament, participating in seven of the nine Europa League editions. Only Ajax with eight showings have been involved in more Europa League tournaments. Should Atletico get an away goal tonight, Sporting would require a minimum of four goals to stand a chance of progression.

Lisbon have suffered greatly at the hands of Spanish sides lately. Sporting have just two wins in eight two-legged knockout ties games against La Liga outfits. The club has lost all of their last six meetings against Spanish opposition too.

Despite reaching the quarters, Sporting have won just two of their previous eight home fixtures in UEFA tournaments, drawing three and losing three. Lisbon are, however, unbeaten in their last four, winning two and drawing two.

Sporting face a huge task this evening but they have been able to turn two-legged ties around in the past. The club have lost the first leg away in 22 UEFA competition ties, recovering to win nine of them. It's faint hope, but at least they do have a slight glimmer here.

Here's a quick glimpse inside the away dressing room in Lisbon. Not long until kickoff now:

👕👟⚽ ¡Todo preparado en el vestuario del José Alvalade! 🏧✅🔝
🔥 ¡Se acerca el momento! 💪#AúpaAtleti #UEL #SportingCPAtleti pic.twitter.com/Ljy9fdWyMK — Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) April 12, 2018

These two sides have met only three times competitively before tonight - all three coming in the Europa League.

Prior to last week's 2-0 loss to Atletico In Madrid, the two sides met over two legs in the last 16 of the inaugural Europa League during 2009-10. Led by Quique Sanchez Flores, Madrid went through on away goals after a 0-0 draw in Madrid was followed up by a 2-2 draw in Lisbon. Atletico went on to win the tournament too.

Club legend Fernando Torres recently revealed that he will be departing Atletico during the summer. Simeone has since urged his players to give the frontman a trophy-winning sendoff by claiming the Europa for a third time:

"It would be important for Fernando to win, as it is for us to be with him. It is important to be together, that this title means something important. He is the most successful player in club history at the moment and that title would be the icing on the cake. Fernando, whenever he does something, is very thoughtful. If he chose it, it was because it was the best time for it. Leave it parked for now and focus on winning the title that is what we all want."

As for Jesus, he has admitted that his side will be needing to make some special plans for Griezmann, insisting that he offers a more complex threat than even Lionel Messi: "I don't think so because Messi is distinct, he doesn't change his position much like Griezmann, he's more in a zone and it was easier to 'organise the defence'. He's more fixed. Now, we'll meet a player who goes all over the field."

PREDICTION: Madrid come into the visiting tie off the back of some outstanding away form and Simeone will be confident that his side can get the job done in Lisbon. Bas Dost has scored 24 league goals in 25 league games and he will be sorely missed for the hosts tonight, while Griezmann and Costa both start for Atleti. I'm backing the visitors to win 2-1 on the road and progress into the last four with relative comfort.

This ground is nice and full as the players head out onto the pitch in Portugal. We will be underway shortly under some rather rainy conditions in Lisbon.

It's time for the Europa League anthem and then we will be moving in the second leg of this quarter-final clash!

Here is a quick recap of the two starting XIs tonight...

SPORTING LISBON STARTING XI: Patricio; Pinto, Coates, Mathieu, Ristovski; Fernandes, Battaglia; Martins, Ruiz, Acuna; Montero

ATLETICO MADRID STARTING XI: Oblak; Juanfran, Savic, Godin, Lucas; Gabi, Saul, Vitolo, Koke; Griezmann, Costa

KICKOFF! Sporting get us rolling in green and white, while Atletico feature in their yellow away strip...

Sporting have started well with their pressing and it looks as though the hosts have already reverted back to a three-man defence with two wing-backs tonight.

CLOSE! It's Sporting who come close first as the ball is moved out wide and a curling delivery is turned into the middle, where Acuna climbs above his marker to head just narrowly over the bar with Oblak scrambling.

The rain is really pelting down as Madrid just try to get their passing game moving. The visitors have been happy to sit off so far in these opening minutes. You can hardly blame them with a two-goal cushion, Sporting still have it all to do here.

Vitolo looks for a cute pass just beyond the back line for the run of Griezmann, but the frontman is adjudged to be offside just as he peels off the shoulder of Pinto.

A neat exchange of passes leaves Gelson with the chance to cross into the box, but Godin rises highest to head away the danger before Montero can react in the middle.

The home side have really enjoyed these opening minutes and another teasing ball into the middle, this time from Acuna, causes Oblak to rush off his line and punch clear under pressure from a number of bodies inside the box.

SAVE! Madrid just need to be a little wary here. Griezmann gives the ball away with a poor pass which allows Gelson to gallop away on the counter. Thankfully for Madrid, the visiting defence clear for a corner. From the resulting kick, Coates leaps highest in the box and draws a fantastic save from Oblak who prevents the header from creeping in to his right.

Madrid have been far from fluid but Simeone will not mind that, he has been the king of functional victories for some time now. The visitors will be waiting for that one moment to break and potentially kill this contest.

Lisbon break well from midfield and the ball is switched out wide to Ristovski, but his cross into the box is turned away by the head of a retreating Savic.

The hosts are fancying the aerial route and are finding some slight signs of success. Godin is beaten in the air this time but Montero can only head over Oblak's bar, leaving the stopper untroubled.

Atletico have found it difficult stringing any number of passes together so far, which isn't giving too much help to their back four. Sporting will be encouraged by this start.

Gelson is given space to drive forward now and he is able to win a cheap corner off Lucas, but Madrid deal with the ball into the middle comfortably. It seems a touch too early for Atletico to be conceding this much ground, though, regardless of their two-goal advantage.

The flanks are proving crucial for Sporting. Acuna scampers down the left this time to pick out Fernandes in the box, who can only turn a tame effort wide of Oblak's far post.

SUBSTITUTION: Frustration for Sporting as they are forced into an early change. Mathieu has picked up a knock at the back and he will be replaced by Petrovic.

Lisbon have dominated the ball with 57% possession so far in this first half. Madrid will be happy with the scoreline, but have perhaps conceded just a little too much ground for the visiting fans' comfort. It looks like a specific tactical choice from Simeone, but when they have had the ball Atletico do seem poor.

And there we have it, Sporting do make Atletico pay. A ball is turned into the middle from the right side of the pitch, leaving Oblak to flap off his line and completely miss the ball. Montero is left to gamble at the back post and he is able to head back across goal and into an almost-empty net with Oblak on the deck. It's a terrific guided header from the frontman too.

YELLOW CARD! In response, Atletico race down the other end where Lucas is smashed to the deck by a poor challenge from Ristovski, who goes into the referee's book.

From the resulting free kick, a ball is drilled towards the back post where a knockdown finds Godin, but the centre-back can only run the ball out for a goal kick when trying to get the better of Coates.

Sporting go to sleep for the first time tonight and Gabi aims to make use of his space as he opens up from range. His shot takes a deflection off Pinto, though, leaving the effort to drop tamely into the arms of Patricio.

Sporting send a corner towards the front post where Godin is able to clear, but the ball only runs as far as Ruiz. The midfielder drills towards goal, but it's a poor effort that Oblak is able to collect comfortably down low.

This has been uncomfortable viewing for Atletico fans and Sporting have given themselves a decent chance now. Should Atletico grab an away goal the picture will shift quite dramatically, though. No signs of that just yet, as Costa is caught offside when trying to break onto Koke's through-ball.

The visitors need half time to regroup, there is no real pattern to Atletico's play when they win the ball, while Griezmann and Costa seem miles apart when they do move forward. Simeone has some work to do at the interval.

Gelson turns wonderfully on the edge of the area to fool Godin, although Lucas tracks well in order to recover and usher the playmaker towards the line to earn his side a goal kick.

Finally a hint of quality as Griezmann pokes the ball in behind to find the run of Vitolo beyond the last man, but the Atletico winger is soon flagged for offside. The visitors have not shown enough intent in the final third.

SAVE! Madrid sit off Ruiz who is around 30 yards out and he opens up to drive from range. It's speculative, but still requires a hand from Oblak to turn it over the crossbar.

CLOSE! A wonderful ball from deep sees Acuna find Gelson free of his man at the back post, but the Lisbon man can only head way over the bar with the whole goal to aim at. It's a woeful miss really and they should have made Atleti pay just before the break.

Well, well, well... we have a real game on our hands now. Atletico have been well off the pace, while Sporting are working to a very productive plan down the flanks. The hosts are fully deserving of their lead here and Simeone will likely be tearing into his players as we speak.

You wonder if Madrid can play much worse? The visitors will surely be better in the second half, which might just place some significance on Gelson's miss before the half-time whistle.

So what does Simeone do in the second half? The visitors are still in control of the tie, but they have never been in control of this match. Costa and Griezmann have been anonymous up top and the away side have not been able to keep hold of the ball. Will Madrid change anything at the break?

Jesus will just want the same again from his side, who do need to be careful of Atletico snatching an away goal. Expect much of the same from the hosts, who might be slightly more cautious if they are unable to find a goal early on.

SECOND HALF! Madrid are out last and have no doubt had the hairdryer treatment. The visitors get things moving again after the interval. Atletico have made a change too, Lucas being replaced by Sime Vrsaljko.

Better from Atletico as Griezmann combines for a one-two with Costa, but the Frenchman cannot keep control of the return ball and Sporting can clear inside their own box.

More positive work from the away side sees Juanfran make inroads down the right channel, but Koke cannot keep his balance as he aims to spin inside the home area, leaving Lisbon to clear their lines. We are already seeing Costa and Griezmann playing closer together, which is progress for the away side.

Costa makes a masterful run off the last man and breaks free at good pace, but he is soon flagged for another offside. It looks like he might just have pulled his hamstring there too.

SUBSTITUTION: Confirmation of that injury then as Costa has to be replaced by Torres. It seems like an issue with his left hamstring.

There's certainly been a shift in midfield energy too, as the visitors are giving Sporting a lot less time on the ball in the middle of the park. Can Atletico move to reassert their authority in the second half?

A lovely, flowing move sees Acuna rush beyond his full-back and break into the box. He tries to cut the play back for Montero, although Savic makes a crucial tackle to concede a corner, which Madrid first fumble but then recover as Oblak claims possession.

SHOT! Madrid break down at the other end and Griezmann is allowed to drift free at the back post, but he can only drive a shot straight at Patricio from a wide and improbable angle.

SUBSTITUTION: A final change for Atletico then with just an hour gone. Simeone is really shuffling the pack now. Vitolo comes off and is replaced by Angel Correa.

The changes seem like Simeone is going for that comforting away goal as the away side look to put the hosts under a little more attacking pressure. Sporting have held firm up until this moment, though.

CLOSE! Atletico win a corner and the ball is whipped towards the front post, where Torres rises to glance a header over the crossbar at real pace.

SHOT! This could go either way... Montero profits luckily as the ball drops to him kindly in the middle of the box, although he can only drive his effort straight at Oblak in the centre of goal.

YELLOW CARD! A booking now for Montero who appears to have just left one in on Godin in a scramble inside the Atletico half. This game is finely balanced!

Sporting a playing quite high at the minute and that could just offer both Griezmann and Torres a chance as this contest wears on. The hosts have coped well with an improved Atletico after the break, Pinto stepping up this time to dispossess Griezmann.

YELLOW CARD! Torres is caught dawdling on the ball and Acuna nips in to steal possession. The Atletico man lashes out with a kick and goes into the referee's book. He's lucky to escape with just a yellow there.

Correa comes alive on the right and he is able to cut into the middle, but more stellar defensive work from Coates sees the centre-back stand strong and steal the ball with the Madrid man mid step-over.

Things just aren't breaking for Madrid. Torres makes a perfect run off the last man to move into space behind the defence, only for his touch to see the ball cannon off his shin and straight into the path of Patricio.

Griezmann has been poor tonight - his passing and touch has seen the visitors lose possession on far too many occasions. The Frenchman does do well this time, though, earning Atletico a free kick around 25 yards out from goal.

CLOSE! Griezmann is over the set piece and he bends an outstanding effort over the wall and towards the top corner, only to see the ball fade wide by just a few inches with Patricio beaten.

There is more than enough time for a goal to still twist this game in one direction or another. Madrid have been much better, but are still being largely stifled by Lisbon, who require a goal to take this tie unexpectedly to extra time.

MISS! Griezmann makes an outstanding run into space beyond the defence and he is soon found by Gabi, but somehow the striker shoots straight at an onrushing Patricio in the centre of the box. That would have been game, set and match for the away side.

CHANCE! Is this one even easier? Lisbon are having to push up and again Griezmann finds himself scampering beyond the last man. He drives wide of the home stopper, but his cut-back finish edges wide of the far post. Will Atletico be made to pay for their profligacy?

Sporting are starting to really up when going forward, but things are looking slightly panicked, this time as Fernandes sends a hopeful ball over from the left and straight out for an Atletico throw.

Still Lisbon load the box and thump long balls forward, although Godin stands firm and heads clear despite pressure from Gelson. Madrid will likely back themselves to see out these final few minutes.

We are going to have three minutes of injury time here for Lisbon to find a leveller...

What have Sporting got left? Madrid are sitting deep and inviting the hosts on. Savic heads away this time, it's all a bit basic and route one from Lisbon, who may have left this just a little too late.

So Madrid make their way into the last four despite faltering poorly away from home tonight. Sporting deserve credit for making a game of this tie after going 2-0 down in the first leg. Simeone's men are through and will await their fate in the draw tomorrow, but they will need to improve quickly should they want to add a third Europa League crown to their trophy cabinet. That's going to be it from me tonight, thanks for joining us!