More late injury blows for Simeone before Valencia v Atlético de Madrid, half the squad sidelined | OneFootball

Atlético de Madrid face fresh injury worries before Saturday's trip to Mestalla, days after a 1-1 Champions League semi-final draw with Arsenal.

According to Superdeporte, Julián Álvarez and Giuliano Simeone went off with physical problems on Wednesday, deepening a delicate spell as Diego Pablo Simeone rotates heavily with LaLiga in the background while Atlético remain in Europe.

Álvarez, who had scored from the penalty spot, took a heavy knock that left him with knee and ankle discomfort, asking to be replaced after trying to continue. Giuliano had been struggling through the first half and was withdrawn at the interval.

Both cases are pending assessment, with minimal recovery time, so their involvement at Valencia looks highly doubtful. The plan is that neither will travel, regardless of any medical update.

Injuries have piled up elsewhere. Pablo Barrios has sustained another muscle issue in his left thigh, his third in roughly two months, and is out in the short term. Nico González remains in the treatment room and missed Arsenal, while José María Giménez is still sidelined, further weakening an already brittle defence.

Atlético have lost four of their last five amid sweeping changes to protect key players for next Tuesday's trip to England. Saturday will reveal Simeone's hand with a stretched midfield and attack. Can Valencia exploit the visitors' growing frailties to edge closer to safety?

Source: Superdeporte