Julian Alvarez is expected to play in the Champions League semi-final second leg against Arsenal, despite coming off in the first leg with an injury.
Atletico Madrid suffered a few injury scares during Arsenal’s visit to the Metropolitano on Wednesday, including Julian Alvarez, who left the pitch with an ankle knock.
Yet Spanish outlet Sport report that tests carried out on Thursday have ruled out a serious injury, and Alvarez will travel with the team for the second leg.
The same is true of Alexander Sorloth and Giuliano Simeone, who both picked up knocks on the night, but are expected to be fit for next Tuesday. Sorloth suffered his setback despite the fact he didn’t even play, feeling an issue in the warm-up.
The expectation is that all three players will be rested this weekend, as well as almost all of Diego Simeone’s other starters. This will allow the manager to monitor the fitness of his key players and avoid risking any setbacks ahead of the second leg.
Atletico effectively have nothing to play for in La Liga, 10 points clear of fifth place and 25 points off the top of the table. They will qualify for the Champions League next season, and they mathematically can’t win the league, so their domestic campaign is all but over.
Arsenal can’t say the same, with a win over Fulham on Saturday absolutely vital. It’s likely many of the same players expected to start next Tuesday will also be in the lineup this weekend.
Atletico’s Pablo Barrios is expected to miss the second leg, having already missed the first, and doubts remain around Jose Maria Gimenez as well. Both have muscle injuries.
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