Luis Javier Suárez has been making headlines for more than just his goals at Sporting this season. The striker has already picked up five yellow cards across the domestic league and Champions League.

The reasons behind those bookings are particularly revealing: two for arguing, two for committing fouls and one for an off-the-ball incident.

There’s no questioning Suárez’s commitment. He even managed to pick up a booking in an international friendly. That intensity, combined with the pressure of a Champions League fixture, could make it even harder for the striker to keep his emotions in check. In his determination to help the team, he could easily cross the line.

Croatian referee Igor Pajač will take charge of the match, averaging more than four yellow cards per game. He has shown little hesitation in reaching for his pocket in Europa League qualifying this season, handing out 12 yellow cards across two matches. That record suggests he is unlikely to tolerate players who let their emotions get the better of them.

There aren’t many moves in football that make as much sense as Romero joining Atletico Madrid. 

It’s a transfer that has looked inevitable for the last few years with Romero being the perfect player to embody Simeone’s style of play. He’s already picked up one yellow card for his new side, with that caution coming against Real Madrid.

Romero was cautioned in both league meetings between Tottenham and Manchester United last season, actually being sent off in Tottenham’s 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford towards the end of last season.

Romero will be up against Bryan Mbeumo here with Benjamin Sesko suffering a recurrence of the injury that kept him sidelined at the start of the campaign. Mbeumo averaged 0.96 fouls won per 90 last season and will cause Romero issues as a makeshift striker.