Lucas Torreira got back in the starting lineup and provided an assist for Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, albeit in a low-profile cup game.

Atletico Madrid's Uruguayan midfielder Lucas Torreira (2L) celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish League football match between Osasuna and Atletico Madrid at El Sadar stadium in Pamplona on October 31, 2020. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA/AFP via Getty Images)
Atletico Madrid’s Uruguayan midfielder Lucas Torreira (2L) celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish League football match between Osasuna and Atletico Madrid at El Sadar stadium in Pamplona on October 31, 2020. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA/AFP via Getty Images)

Arsenal loanee Lucas Torreira’s recent absence from the Atletico Madrid starting lineup is well documented.

Before Wednesday, he hadn’t made a start since October 24th, despite appearing in the squad eight times since then. He only spent 67 minutes on the pitch in over a month, even accounting for the two weeks he missed through Covid.

So it was good to see the midfielder back in the starting lineup in midweek, even against third division side CD Cardassar in a Copa del Rey match.

Torreira performed very well, completing 93% of his 119 attempted passes including seven of eight long balls, creating three chances including one big chance, completing the only dribble he attempted, and winning five of his seven individual duels.

The highlight of his match was an assist to make it 3-0. He lifted a long ball through to Sime Vrsaljko, who finished nicely on the volley. It was reminiscent of the Song-van Persie connection of Arsenal’s past, and you can watch it at 3:15 here.

The player’s agent this week claimed Torreira is calm, happy, and planning to continue with Atletico in January.