Atletico Madrid have had some injury concerns alleviated ahead of their Champions League semi-final showdown with Arsenal
Julian Alvarez has shared an update(Image: Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
Arsenal could be hit with a double blow ahead of their showdown with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. The Spanish giants will do battle with the Premier League title challengers in the first leg of their semi-final clash.
The Gunners will travel to the Metropolitano Stadium, buoyed by their 1-0 win over Newcastle that sent them back to the top of the table. Meanwhile, Atleti secured three important points to keep them in the hunt for third place in La Liga with a 3-2 win over Athletic Club.
The Spanish outfit will still be hurting over their Copa del Rey final defeat to Real Sociedad earlier this month. The European giants lost on penalties to the mid-table side and will seek retribution in the Champions League.
Atleti have been without some key players over the past few weeks, with Julian Alvarez not playing a single minute of their last four league matches.
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With other stars also absent from matchday squads, manager Diego Simeone will be keen to ensure he has some important names returning to the starting line-up to take on Arsenal.
Here, football.london delves into Atleti’s current injury situation and potential return dates as they prepare to face the Gunners.
Julian Alvarez
Julian Alvarez confirmed he was fit to face Arsenal(Image: Pierre-Philippe MARCOU / AFP via Getty Images)
Julian Alvarez has confirmed he is in the frame to face Arsenal on Wednesday night. The Argentinian has been out with a muscle issue and has only recently returned to the substitutes bench.
However, Alvarez has made it clear he is ready for the Champions League semi-final. When asked about his fitness on Monday, the 26-year-old said: “I’m at 100 per cent.”
Potential return date: Arsenal (H) – April 29 – Champions League
Alexander Sorloth
Alexander Sorloth is aiming to be the main hero(Image: Maciej Rogowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Alexander Sorloth was another key player Atleti have recently missed after he sustained an issue in the Copa del Rey defeat. He missed another loss against Elche before returning to the starting line-up in the Athletic Club victory.
However, a late scare put the Gunners on notice after he scored a brace. Sorloth confirmed after the game that he had avoided an injury, stating it was just a cramp.
No fresh reports have come regarding the Norwegian’s fitness as he plans to lead the line alongside either Alvarez or Antoine Griezmann.
Potential return date: Arsenal (H) – April 29 – Champions League
Pablo Barrios
Pablo Barrios is likely to miss both Champions League matches(Image: Irina R. Hipolito/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Atleti midfielder Pablo Barrios is reportedly out of the Champions League showdown with Arsenal due to a hamstring injury. Marca reports that the 22-year-old may even miss the rest of the season, with at least a month of sitting on the sidelines feared.
The young midfielder had just returned from a separate muscle injury, making his first start against Athletic Club since recovering. Barrios exited the field just before the hour mark after being unable to continue.
Potential return date: Villarreal (A) – May 24 – La Liga
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