Atletico Madrid problems mount as key defender may miss Barcelona clashes
Atletico Madrid problems mount as key defender may miss Barcelona clashes Atletico Madrid were going into their trio of clashes with Barcelona in the space of ten days with optimism that they could platform a successful end to the season. Yet several injury issues that have cropped up are threatening to derail Diego Simeone’s plans. Los Colchoneros have something of a free hit against Barcelona at the Metropolitano this Saturday, given they are confident that Champions League football for next season will be secured.
That leads them into their Champions League quarter-final against the Catalans, who are without Raphinha , before the Copa del Rey final on the 18th of April. Yet Simeone will be sweating on the fitness of several key players. Doubts over Marc Pubill fitness Arguably the most positive surprise of the season for Atletico has been Marc Pubill, who has excelled in central defence over the last five months.
Pubill has been a regular for Simeone since coming into the starting XI, but has missed their last two games with a muscle injury. Kept out of the Spain squad as a precaution, he was expected to be back in time for their La Liga clash with Barcelona this weekend. Yet Marca say that there is no certainty that he will be available for either the Liga clash, or the first leg of the Champions League tie next week.
Pubill’s recovery has been slower than expected and Atletico are nervously awaiting to see how it develops in the coming days. Johnny Cardoso another doubt Pubill has been joined by Johnny Cardoso and Alexander Sorloth in the treatment room this week after international duty. The latter will undergo tests on a head wound today, and is expected to be cleared to play, but Cardoso will miss at least the first two clashes with Barcelona, and is aiming to be back for the second leg of the Champions League tie and the Copa del Rey final.
With Pablo Barrios in a similar situation, it leaves Simeone somewhat short in midfield. If Pubill does not make it, Simeone will likely turn to either Robin Le Normand or Jose Maria Gimenez to partner David Hancko in central defence.