Atletico Madrid has received a significant boost as they prepare for their Champions League semi-final tie against Arsenal this Wednesday. The first leg is scheduled to take place at the Metropolitano stadium at 9:00 PM CEST, and it appears that three vital starters will be available for Diego Simeone’s squad.
Following their Copa del Rey final, Atletico Madrid has been without the services of Julian Alvarez, Ademola Lookman, and David Hancko, all of whom are considered integral to Simeone’s starting lineup. These players have been sidelined with muscle issues, but reports suggest they are now fit to feature in the opening leg against Arsenal.
Alvarez Confident of Full Fitness
Julian Alvarez, who missed Atletico’s 3-2 victory over Athletic Club on Saturday due to discomfort, has declared himself fully fit for the upcoming match. Speaking to Marca, he expressed his readiness, stating, “Yes, I’m at 100%. The Cup was a tough blow because we were so excited, we reached the final, and now we have these Champions League semi-finals. We’re fighting for everything. It’s true that we’ve fallen behind in the league, but last year in March we were out of contention, and now, having reached the final, we’re very proud. Now we have to recover from this setback, and we’re going to give it our all to reach the final.”
Lookman and Hancko Also Poised to Return
Adding to the positive news, Diario AS reports that Ademola Lookman is also expected to be available. Lookman himself indicated his improvement in recent media appearances, telling Marca, “I missed the last few games, but now I’m much better.” While there was less uncertainty surrounding David Hancko’s availability after a positive update from Simeone, he is also on track to participate.
Despite these welcome returns, Atletico Madrid will still be without Jose Maria Gimenez, who has been dealing with a muscle problem since last month, and Pablo Barrios. Barrios unfortunately suffered a relapse of a hamstring issue on Saturday night, ruling him out for approximately a month, though he could potentially return for a Champions League final should Atletico advance.
