Atlético had good news on their return to work. Luis Suárez exercised with the group after undergoing more medical tests yesterday that ruled out a muscle tear. The Uruguayan had to be substituted after 13 minutes of the key match against Porto, leaving a shocking image with tears on the bench after having to leave a key duel for his team.
However, the muscular discomfort has not led to a breakage and today he has rejoined the group as one more. Simeone must decide if he has his ‘9’ and if he is available, if he lines up for the start or reserves him for the last minutes, with Cunha, Correa and João Félix as alternatives to accompany Griezmann. Saponjic also returned to work with the group after several weeks on the sidelines with a muscle injury.
Atlético’s casualties are concentrated on defense, as Giménez continues to work on the sidelines after the bad feelings he felt before the match against Porto, where Simeone had to improvise behind with a defense formed by Llorente, Vrsaljko, Kondogbia, Hermoso and Carrasco. The Croatian suffered a fracture to his face and joins the list of casualties behind, accompanying Savic and Trippier, still without a medical discharge despite having been exercising with the group for days. Felipe is the novelty regarding the Champions League match, since he was suspended, but Cholo apparently will be without four of his seven specialists behind to try to stop the team with the most LaLiga goals scored.