Atletico Madrid set to miss Jose Gimenez in first leg tie vs Chelsea due to injury
A report by Spanish outlet Marca mentions that Atletico Madrid defender Jose Maria Gimenez will miss around three weeks of action due to injury, including the first leg of the Round of 16 clash against Chelsea.
The Blues are set to take on the La Liga leaders in the last-16 of the UEFA Champions League later this month. The first leg, scheduled to take place in a neutral venue, takes place on 23rd February.
Atletico lost home advantage in the game after the first-leg against Chelsea was shifted from Wanda Metropolitano to Romania due to Covid-19 restrictions. The bad news does not stop there for them.
First-team regular Gimenez has suffered a muscle injury which will see him miss the game against the Blues. He is also expected to miss at least four La Liga games and could be out for the Madrid derby as well. (h/t Marca)
Simeone down to bare bones
Atletico manager Diego Simeone has recently preferred a back 3. Gimenez’s injury means the club will be left with just 3 senior centre-backs, meaning Simeone would be short of options at the back if he sticks to the formation.
The centre-backs available for Simeone are Felipe, Mario Hermoso, and former Manchester City defender Stefan Savic. All three of them have made over 20 or more appearances for the club this season.
Los Indios have failed to replicate their league form in Europe so far. They are comfortably sitting at the top of the La Liga table, leading 2nd-placed Real Madrid by 5 points with two games in hand.
However, their Champions League group stage was a bumpy ride. Simeone’s side managed just two wins from their 6 games and made it to the last-16 with just 9 points.
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Chelsea would be hoping that the Spanish team’s poor European form continues as they look to make their first UCL quarter-final appearance since 2014.