Atletico Madrid Stalwart Gimenez Faces Barcelona Champions League Doubt
Atletico Madrid, fresh off a 2-1 La Liga defeat to Barcelona, are preparing for their Champions League quarter-final clash at Spotify Camp Nou on Wednesday. Despite resting several key players on Saturday, the team is unlikely to be at full strength as they seek revenge.
Among the confirmed absentees is Pablo Barrios, with Jan Oblak and Marc Pubill also facing doubts. Adding to their injury concerns, veteran defender Jose Maria Gimenez has now emerged as a doubt; he would have been a strong contender to start if Pubill remained sidelined.
According to Marca, Gimenez sustained a calf injury from a blow during the recent weekend loss to Barcelona, rendering him a significant doubt for the upcoming midweek trip to Catalonia.
Atletico Cautious About Gimenez's Return
While Gimenez's determination might lead him to push for fitness, Atletico is wary of exacerbating his discomfort. With the second leg scheduled just six days later and the Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad looming later this month, the Uruguayan defender's availability for these crucial fixtures is paramount.
Consequently, Atleti plans to avoid any unnecessary risks with Gimenez, even if Pubill is confirmed absent for Wednesday's match. This suggests a likely starting partnership of Robin Le Normand and David Hancko at Spotify Camp Nou, with Clement Lenglet serving as Diego Simeone's third defensive option.
The coming weeks are pivotal for Atletico as they aim to continue their pursuit of a maiden Champions League title and prepare for the Copa del Rey final later this month. Despite ongoing injury challenges, the club remains optimistic about achieving success in both competitions.
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