Atletico Madrid’s Pablo Barrios has suffered an injury setback, and is now a major doubt to face Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals.
Diego Simeone made a few changes to his Atletico Madrid team against Athletic Club at the weekend, resting certain players like Julian Alvarez and Robin Le Normand for Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg match against Arsenal.
But with Pablo Barrios’ recent injury struggles, the player was handed a start in the hope of building up his match sharpness.
The midfielder had spent two months on the sidelines injured, only returning to the pitch on Wednesday, after being a starter for Atletico throughout the first half of the season. The plan would presumably have been to get him ready to face Arsenal.
Instead, Barrios was forced off with a new muscular issue, with Atletico confirming he was “substituted in the second half after feeling muscular discomfort in his left thigh”.
Given it took months for Barrios to recover from his last muscular injury, this setback puts his participation against Atletico on Wednesday and the following Tuesday in serious doubt. It’s just nine days from now until the semi-final second leg, let alone the first.
Mundo Deportivo report that “everything indicates” the player will not be available against Arsenal on Wednesday, at the very least.
The good news for Atletico is that Alexander Sorloth returned from injury against Athletic Club at the weekend, but Ademola Lookman also remains a doubt for the Arsenal match at this stage.
Lookman’s involvement is perhaps key, as he’s the one starter Atletico didn’t yet have when they lost 4-0 to Arsenal earlier in the season. Whether he’ll be available and able to inspire an Atletico win this time remains to be seen.
- Arsenal youngster set for decisive international call-upNorthern Ireland are planning to call up Arsenal youngster Ceadach O’Neill for Nations League games as they look to secure his international future.
- Ex-Arsenal Edu lands new job in BulgariaFormer Arsenal player and director Edu Gaspar has officially joined Levski Sofia in Bulgaria, following his departure from Nottingham Forest.
- Arsenal-linked talent requests Manchester United contract terminationTop Manchester United talent JJ Gabriel has submitted a formal notice that he wishes to cancel his contract, with Arsenal among the teams linked with signing him.
- Arteta insists Dowman will get his chance pre-Ipswich clashMikel Arteta has insisted that Max Dowman will get his chance ahead of Arsenal’s League Cup opener away to Ipswich Town on Tuesday night.
- 2 Arsenal players make Teams of the Week for Sunderland winTwo Arsenal defenders feature in the various Teams of the Week following Saturday’s win away to Sunderland.