Atlético Madrid has suffered another potential injury blow with midfielder Pablo Barrios having to be substituted in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Athletic Club, raising concerns ahead of their crucial Champions League semi-final against Arsenal.
Barrios was handed a start after missing the defeat to Elche, with Atletico boss Diego Simeone rotating his squad heavily with one eye on Wednesday’s first-leg clash against the Premier League side. But the night was cut short for the Spanish midfielder who was taken off just before the hour mark after appearing to be struggling physically.
Johnny Cardoso came on to replace him, and Atletico later confirmed Barrios had suffered muscular discomfort in his left thigh.
“Barrios was taken off in the second half after experiencing muscular discomfort in his left thigh,” the club said in an official statement. “There are still tests to come.
The nature of the injury and Barrios’ obvious discomfort as he left the pitch have cast serious doubt over his availability for both legs against Arsenal.
Simeone is already keeping an eye on another fitness concern, with Ademola Lookman still fighting the clock to get back from the injury he picked up in Atletico’s Copa del Rey final loss to Real Sociedad.
On the bright side, Alexander Sorloth made a great return, scoring twice against Athletic Club to bring his season’s tally to 19 goals in 49 appearances in all competitions.
Marcos Llorente, Koke, and Antoine Griezmann also found the net before being substituted in the second half, while Julian Alvarez—currently joint-leading scorer for Atletico—was given a full rest ahead of the Arsenal clash.
