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Atletico Madrid defender Miranda gets two-game ban after red card elbow

Atletico Madrid centre-back Miranda has been banned for two La Liga games for elbowing Espanyol's Abraham Gonzalez during last weekend's 0-0 draw.

Miranda, 30, was red-carded for the aerial challenge after which midfielder Abraham spent the night in hospital, where he was treated for a cranial trauma, whiplash and a bruised lip.

The confirmed punishment means the defender will miss Atletico's La Liga games at home to Getafe on Saturday and then away at Cordoba after the upcoming international break.

Meanwhile, Atletico president Enrique Cerezo has confirmed comments from Diego Simeone's agent that the Colchoneros coach is close to extending his contract at the Vicente Calderon.

"We have been negotiating with Diego's agents for a good while," Cerezo said. "And I hope that someday soon the negotiating will end. I do not know if it will be next week, or the following, or tomorrow, but I hope he stays with us."

Simeone's latest achievement was to guide Atletico past Bayer Leverkusen in a tight and physical Champions League round-of-16 tie, which was decided on penalties on Tuesday night at the Calderon.

Asked who he favoured getting in Friday's quarterfinal draw, Cerezo said Atletico were happy to take on any team, while suggesting he would prefer avoiding local rivals Real Madrid due to the extra demands involved in two more city derbis.

"The draw is all the same to us," he added. "Last year look at who we had -- Milan, Chelsea, Barcelona... and in the end we beat them all.

"It is more demanding for us to play against Real Madrid than any other team, but we are used to it, and if we get them they we will go out to win. There are eight great teams in there, you cannot think one is lesser than any other."