Diego Simeone admits Julian Alvarez remains to be fighting his ankle injury ahead of Atletico Madrid’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Arsenal next Tuesday.
Alvarez scored a penalty within the second half of Atletico’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Wednesday night but was forced off with 13 minutes remaining after injuring his ankle in a challenge from Eberechi Eze.
Atletico travel to Valencia for his or her game in La Liga on Saturday and Simeone has revealed that Alvarez will play no part within the fixture.
Simeone can also be without his son Giuliano, Alexander Sorloth, Jose Gimenez and Pablo Barrios.
‘If there hadn’t been a match on Tuesday, Julian probably wouldn’t have made it to Saturday either, nor would Sorloth, Giuliano, Barrios or Gimenez,’ Simeone said on Friday.
‘It’s greater than clear that we’re going to go together with those that are in the most effective shape to compete tomorrow.
‘The players’ form dictates it [the squad rotation]. We’re going to field fresh legs so we are able to compete, which is what matters to us.
‘I expect so much from them. They’ve the responsibility of being at Atletico Madrid and the chance to point out why they’re at Atletico Madrid.’
Speaking after Atletico’s draw with Arsenal, Simeone said that he expected Alvarez, Giuliano Simeone and Sorloth to get well for the second leg against Mikel Arteta’s side next week.
Atletico currently sit fourth in La Liga, five points behind third-placed Villarreal with five games remaining.
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