Manchester United receive boost as opponents Atletico Madrid have four injury scares ahead of Champions League clash
According to Spanish outlet AS (h/t Express), Atletico Madrid could be without four players due to injury issues ahead of their Champions League Round of 16 tie against Manchester United.
The La Liga champions head into the clash after a 3-0 away win against Osasuna, putting behind their recent home loss against Levante, handing them renewed hope in the race for a top four finish.
It is said that Atletico could be without Thomas Lemar, Benjamin Lecomte, Daniel Wass, and Matheus Cunha for the Man United clash as they missed training over the weekend due to injury scares. Whether this will impact their chances of beating us remains to be seen.
The Red Devils meanwhile, are coming off the back of two consecutive wins in the Premier League, beating Brighton & Hove Albion at home and winning away against Leeds United last night. While Man United might not have been perfect, they are showing an aptitude for getting the job done.
Key players missing
The Colchoneros will also be without winger Yannick Carrasco for both legs of the tie, after he was sent off in their previous Champions League match against Porto. In better news for the club, Antoine Griezmann may feature on Wednesday night, despite the player having only just returned from an injury sustained last year.
Atletico may have injury issues, but they will take comfort in the knowledge that the first leg of the tie is at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. The home crowd will be essential to urge the team on against a United side that have recently done well domestically, in comparison to Diego Simeone’s side.
Although United have more fit squad players available for the tie against Atletico, they need to be wary of what the La Liga giants are capable of. The Spanish side have progressed to the later stages of the UCL more times in recent times than the Red Devils have.
The Old Trafford side last reached the final of the Champions League in 2011, when they were beaten by Barcelona. Last year, the Manchester club lost in the final of the Europa League to Villareal on penalties, and have not won a trophy since 2017.
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The Champions League is United’s only shot at some silverware this season, and the squad will need to give it their all in the competition to make it till the end. They have Champions League veterans in Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane, and the former Real Madrid men may prove the difference.
Atletico are not to be undermined, given that they won the league title last year. They may be faring poorly in La Liga this season, but anything could happen in the knockout stages of the Champions League, and United will need to be ready.
