Atletico Madrid have confirmed their full squad list for tonight’s Champions League semi-final clash against Arsenal
Atletico Madrid’s ranks have been bolstered by the returns of winger Ademola Lookman and defender David Hancko for tonight’s Champions League showdown against Arsenal.
Diego Simeone’s side had numerous fitness issues to contend with in the build-up to the clash but now there is clarity on who is available.
A 23-man roster was posted on the club’s social media channels and website and attacker Lookman and Hancko, who has been in light training since last Friday, have made the cut.
Three players are absent due to injury, however. Versatile wide player Nico Gonzalez, who picked up a muscle injury in Tuesday morning’s training session, long-serving central defender Jose Maria Gimenez and midfielder Pablo Barrios are unavailable.
FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
Barrios only recently returned from injury but picked up a fresh problem on Saturday when Atletico returned to winning ways at home to Athletic Club in La Liga.
The goalkeepers are Jan Oblak, Juan Musso and Salvador Esquivel Gamez. Oblak is expected to start ahead of Musso but there have been calls for the Argentine to replace the Slovenian between the sticks.
In defence, Atletico Madrid can call upon Matteo Ruggeri, Clement Lenglet, Nahuel Molina, Hancko, Marc Pubill, Robin Le Normand plus young duo Julio Diaz and Javier Bonar.
In midfield, Atleti are well-stocked with Koke, Rodrigo Mendoza, Johnny Cardoso, Alex Baena, Marcos Llorente, Guiliano Simeone, Thiago Almada and Obed Vargas.
Then in attack, Simeone can call upon several big guns in Lookman, Julian Alvarez, Antoine Griezmann and Alexander Sorloth.
Atletico are seeking to use home advantage at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano as they look to take a step towards the Champions League final on May 30.
Argentine boss Simeone claims he’s hatched a plan to frustrate and hurt the Premier League leaders, explaining: “[The Champions League means] what it means to any athlete— it’s an enormous competition, at a club where we’ve never been able to win it yet, where we’ve reached four semi-finals over these 14 years I’ve been here.
“You know what it costs, what it takes to stay in a privileged position like this. Now it’s about protecting that position, giving everything we have, and taking the match to a place where we think we can hurt Arsenal.”
Next week’s second-leg will take place at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
