Diego Simeone confirms five absences for Atletico Madrid-Barcelona clash | OneFootball

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone confirmed that they would be without any of the injured players recovering for their Liga clash with Barcelona on Saturday night. There could perhaps be brighter news on the horizon for their Champions League first leg next week at Camp Nou though.

Speaking ahead of the game on Friday, Simeone reduced the importance of the tactical battle between himself and Hansi Flick.

“Football is about the players, not the coaches. Barcelona has played a certain way since their coach arrived, with their high defensive line and attacking positioning designed to capitalise on winning duels. We, with our own style of play, as we have for the last 14 years, will continue trying to compete against them.”

Atletico without five key players

Simeone confirmed that none of Rodrigo Mendoza, Pablo Barrios, Jan Oblak, Marc Pubill or Johnny Cardoso would be fit to face the Catalan side.

“All the injured players are progressing very well. Jan will train with the group on Monday. Mendoza will also train with the group on Monday. Pablo is doing very well. And Pubill is training hard so he can help us in the best way when needed.”

Issues in midfield for Simeone

Normally, Mendoza’s injury would not be so significant, but with Cardoso and Marcos Llorente suspended, and Barrios out too, Los Rojiblancos are short in midfield. Koke Resurreccion and Obed Vargas are the only natural options in the middle of the pitch remaining, although Simeone could improvise with one of Alex Baena or Thiago Almada. Llorente will return from suspension for European duty, but Cardoso will remain injured.

The silver linings are that it sounds like Oblak, Mendoza and potentially Pubill will return in time for their second meeting next week. Alexander Sorloth, who returned from international duty with a head wound, seems to be fit for this weekend too.