Diego Simeone admits Julian Alvarez is still struggling with his ankle injury ahead of Atletico Madrid’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Arsenal next Tuesday.
Alvarez scored a penalty in 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 their game in La Liga on Saturday and Simeone has revealed that Alvarez will play no part in the fixture.
Simeone is also 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 more than clear that we’re going to go with those who are in the best shape to compete tomorrow.
‘The players’ form dictates it [the squad rotation]. We’re going to field fresh legs so we can compete, which is what matters to us.
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‘I expect a lot from them. They have the responsibility of being at Atletico Madrid and the opportunity to show why they’re at Atletico Madrid.’
Speaking after Atletico’s draw with Arsenal, Simeone said that he expected Alvarez, Giuliano Simeone and Sorloth to recover 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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