Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti will miss the Spanish champions' vital La Liga clash with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday due to a knee ligament strain.

"Umtiti suffered a lateral collateral ligament strain in his left knee during training this morning," Barca said in a statement on Tuesday.

The French international's absence opens the door for Javier Mascherano to return alongside Gerard Pique at the heart of the Barca defence.