Atletico Madrid are facing a tense week as they prepare for their Champions League showdown in London, with hopes of keeping their squad intact for a shot at the final. The first leg against Arsenal delivered a mixed bag of updates—some reassuring, others cause for concern.
First, the good news: Julian Alvarez is in the clear. The star forward sparked worry when ankle pain forced him off late in the second half, but scans have confirmed he escaped serious injury. That's a massive relief for Diego Simeone, who needs his attacking options sharp for the trip to the Emirates.
However, two other players are on the injury watchlist. Alexander Sorloth's absence raised eyebrows—he didn't see a single minute of action. After the match, Sporting Director Mateu Alemany revealed the Norwegian picked up a knock during the warm-up. "He was resting for a week after a blow to the back of his leg, and during warm-up movements, he aggravated it. Bad luck," Alemany told Movistar+. Simeone later confirmed Sorloth felt discomfort in his hamstring, leaving his availability uncertain.
Then there's Giuliano Simeone, who was pulled at halftime. The coach's son collided with Arsenal's Hincapie early on, taking a heavy blow to the waist. "It bothered him a lot," his father admitted to Diario AS. Yet Simeone remained optimistic, saying he couldn't imagine any of the three missing the second leg.
The injury list doesn't end there. Nicolas Gonzalez was originally set to start in Giuliano's place but suffered his own setback in training. Giuliano himself has been battling fitness issues since the Copa del Rey final. Jose Maria Gimenez's return is still a question mark, and midfielder Pablo Barrios is already ruled out for the return fixture.
With the Emirates looming, Atletico's depth is being tested. Can they rally their troops and secure a spot in the Champions League final? All eyes are on London next week.
