Pablo Barrios back at La Cartuja after February injury as Copa final looms | OneFootball

Pablo Barrios is fit again and set for a return to La Cartuja, the stadium where his season turned on 5 February, as Atlético prepare for the Copa del Rey final.

AS reports that the 22-year-old has trained with the group since Monday and could get minutes.

That February night had started serenely, with Atlético producing one of their slickest displays. Barrios assisted Lookman for his first goal as a rojiblanco and thrived alongside Koke, Baena and Griezmann, before a muscle injury struck on 50 minutes with the score at 0-3. Griezmann and Almada later made it five.

The setback arrived just as he had forced his way into De la Fuente’s Spain plans. It ruled him out of the Copa semi-final against Barcelona and the Champions League play-off for a last-16 place against Brugge.

He returned on 10 March, playing 21 minutes in a 5-2 win over Tottenham, only to suffer another muscle problem in training afterwards. He has not featured since, though Atlético came through that tie and the quarter-final against Barcelona.

Without Barrios they have won eight of 18 matches, losing nine with one draw, and his absence has been felt. Now the focus is to regain rhythm and confidence, then hit the Arsenal tie in full condition.

Barrios is available and wants a far happier La Cartuja homecoming.

Source: AS