Following a disappointing Copa del Rey final loss, Atletico Madrid is prioritizing their upcoming Champions League semi-final against Arsenal. With their La Liga top-four spot virtually secured, the Champions League represents their primary objective. To ensure their key players are in optimal condition, Diego Simeone and his coaching staff are implementing a cautious approach.

Diego Simeone is already focusing on the Arsenal showdown. Consequently, two players, Ademola Lookman and Alexander Sorloth, have been instructed to train separately for the next few days. According to an official medical report from Atleti, both players are experiencing discomfort. As a result, they have been asked to train away from the main group. The club’s medical team has advised maximum caution to prevent any injury risk. Their return to full training with teammates will depend on the resolution of these discomforts.

Lookman and Sorloth Ruled Out of Elche Match

The decision for Lookman and Sorloth to train individually indicates they are unlikely to feature in the upcoming match against Elche. This leaves Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann as the sole striker options. However, it’s possible these players might also be rested in anticipation of the Arsenal game. In such a scenario, Alex Baena or Thiago Almada could potentially be deployed in a false nine role at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero.

English Translation:

Atletico Madrid Takes Measures to Ensure Attacking Pair is Available for Arsenal Tie

Atletico Madrid is still reeling from Saturday’s heartbreaking Copa del Rey final defeat at the hands of Real Sociedad, but they must pick themselves up quickly. They face back-to-back La Liga matches against Elche and Athletic Club before the first leg of their Champions League semi-final showdown with Arsenal next Wednesday.

Atleti are all-but guaranteed to finish inside La Liga’s top four, meaning that the Champions League is everything to them. Because of this, Diego Simeone and his coaching staff will seek to ensure the players are at peak condition for the two matches at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano and Emirates Stadium.

Simeone’s focus is already on next week’s showdown with Arsenal, which is why he has instructed two of his players to train on their own over the next few days. As per an official medical report from Atleti, Ademola Lookman and Alexander Sorloth are suffering with discomfort, which is why they have been asked to train away from the group.

“Ademola Lookman and Alexander Sorloth finished the Copa del Rey final with discomfort. The club’s medical services have carried out tests that advise maximum caution to avoid the risk of injury, so they will follow an individualised plan in the coming days, working outside the group. The evolution of these discomforts will mark his return to training with his teammates.”

Lookman and Sorloth to Miss Elche Clash

The fact that Lookman and Sorloth will train on their own over the next couple of days all-but confirms that they will not be involved against Elche on Wednesday. It means that Simeone will only have Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann as striker options, although it would be no surprise if they were also rested with a view to the Arsenal match next week. If that is the case, Alex Baena or Thiago Almada could be used in a false nine role at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero.