Atletico Madrid will be without midfielder Pablo Barrios for their Champions League semi-final first leg against Arsenal after the club confirmed he sustained a muscular injury in his left thigh. The injury occurred during Atletico's match against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, the club said in a statement released Sunday. No timeline for recovery was provided, though Spanish media report the 22-year-old could be sidelined for up to a month. The absence deals a setback to manager Diego Simeone ahead of the crucial tie at the Metropolitano stadium. Atletico, having lost the Copa del Rey final last weekend, now rely solely on the Champions League for a chance at silverware this season.
Barrios' injury strips Atletico of a key midfield option just as their season hinges on European survival. With no domestic cup left, Simeone faces a tighter selection crisis than anticipated against a full-strength Arsenal. No Nigerian or African players featured in the match or injury update.
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