Atletico Madrid are holding their breath and hoping to board their flight to London next week with the bulk of their fighting force intact as they cha...
Atletico Madrid are holding their breath and hoping to board their flight to London next week with the bulk of their fighting force intact as they chase a place in the Champions League final. The first leg battle against Arsenal at the Emirates has, however, left the blood of the coaching crew running cold with some worrying physical concerns. The good news for Diego Simeone and his technical bench is that Julian Alvarez, the Argentine striker who has been a consistent thorn in the side of defenders this season, has escaped serious injury. GoalZaza can confirm that the former Manchester City man came through the rugged contest without any fresh knock, a development that has brought considerable relief to the club's medical staff. But the lion's share of the anxiety now centres on two other stalwarts of the Atletico engine room. The club's doctors are working round the clock to assess the condition of a midfield general and a first choice defender, both of whom limped off during the intense exchange against the Gunners. The identity of these two players has not been officially released by the powers that be, but sources close to the camp suggest that their availability for the second leg is in serious doubt. In the scheme of things, Simeone knows that his formidable defensive structure will need to be at its meanest to contain the pace of Bukayo Saka and the cunning of Martin Odegaard. Losing even one of these key cogs could throw his game plan into disarray. At the end of the day, the Spanish side gave a good account of themselves in the first leg, holding Arsenal to a draw that leaves everything to play for at the Emirates. For the Nigerian football faithful watching from Lagos to Abuja, this is a story that brings a familiar worry. With the Super Eagles talisman Victor Osimhen already ruled out of the Champions League run through injury, and with Moses Simon struggling for fitness at his own club, the sight of top African talents battling knocks is a recurring drama. The fans at the viewing centres will be praying that Atletico's Nigerian contingent, if any, or at least the African stars on both sides, stay fit for the grand stage. Back in the smoky beer parlours of Surulere and the plush lounges of Victoria Island, the local supporters will be shaking their heads and exchanging knowing glances. They will recall how similar injury scares have derailed many a promising European campaign. A man in a worn out Super Eagles jersey will shout over the noise that Simeone must not risk a half fit player, while his friend in an Arsenal replica kit will retort that the Gunners have the depth to exploit any weakness. The argument will go on until the next round of drinks arrives, each man convinced that his preferred club has the better chance of making the final. As the Spanish side prepares for the decisive clash, the mood in the camp remains one of cautious optimism. The fitness tests over the next 48 hours will determine whether the Rojiblancos can field their strongest eleven or whether they will have to dig deep into their resources and trust the boys on the bench.
