Diego Simeone is keeping his fingers crossed that star midfielder Pablo Barrios has avoided a serious injury ahead of next week’s Champions League semi-final showdown with Arsenal. The Atletico Madrid boss confirmed that the 22-year-old will undergo further testing after being withdrawn during Saturday’s win over Athletic Bilbao.
Simeone’s Injury Concerns
Speaking after the match, Simeone said: “I haven’t seen him yet. The doctors will inform us what injury he may have. Life often makes it difficult for us and they are doing it with him this year, with respect to injuries. He has to take it as a learning curve, with the strength and willingness to learn from what is happening to him. He must be strong and work.”
Simeone added: “Before the game I told him that I trust him a lot, he is very important for us and we are waiting for him. Hopefully the injury is as small as possible and he can be with us at the end of the season.”
Barrios has made 35 appearances for Atletico this season, scoring once. He played the full 90 minutes in the 4-0 defeat to Arsenal in the league stage of the Champions League earlier this season.
Arsenal’s Triple Fitness Scare
While Simeone has his worries, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is dealing with his own injury concerns. Three key players – Kai Havertz, Eberechi Eze, and Martin Zubimendi – were all withdrawn during the Gunners’ 1-0 win against Newcastle at the weekend.
Arteta provided updates after the match: “Eberechi Eze is a big player for us and he's in a really good moment. He produced an incredible moment to score the goal. Hopefully he's fit and he can be with us on Wednesday.”
Regarding Zubimendi, Arteta said: “Zubi was sick, and at half-time, he wasn't feeling good. He tried his very best. He played a really good game, and in the end, we had to take him off.”
On Havertz, Arteta added: “No I haven’t spoken to him, but he had a little niggle so I don't know how serious it is. It didn't look too big because the action, the way he describes it, is not too sharp, but I have to wait and see.”
Both sides will be hoping their key players recover in time for Wednesday’s first leg at the Metropolitano Stadium.
