Why isn’t Pablo Barrios playing for Atlético Madrid against Arsenal in the Champions League semifinal?

Atlético Madrid are facing the biggest night of their season so far as Arsenal visit the Metropolitano for a massive Champions League tie. At stake is a place in the final - and after reaching three finals and losing them all, this is an opportunity that the Rojiblancos want to seize.

Atleti coach Diego Simeone was dealt a brutal last‑minute setback. Nico González has been ruled out after suffering a muscle injury during Tuesday’s training session. El Cholo will also be without center-back José María Giménez who has been out for almost four weeks with a muscular injury.

Barrios’ ongoing fitness issues

Another player who won’t be taking to the pitch this evening is Pablo Barrios - a massive blow. The academy graduate has been in and out of the treatment room since the New Year started and has missed 16 games due to various issues.

After spending a week on the sidelines with a calf muscle injury, he returned for the Copa del Rey quarter final against Betis on February 5. However he hobbled out of the game on 50 minutes with what turned out to be a tear to his left thigh muscle.

Barrios missed the next eight games, returning for the Champions League Last 16 first leg against Tottenham. He started on the bench and came on for the last 20 minutes. Simeone remained cautious, with the idea of introducing him back into the team gradually.

Relapse against Athletic

Barrios started Saturday’s league game against Athletic but barely lasted an hour. The club issued a grim diagnosis the following day - an injury to the player’s left thigh, an injury which will keep him out of action for a minimum of 10 days. With that panorama, it’s unlikely that Barrios will be back for the return leg in London next week.

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