Atletico Madrid hit with major injury blow for Barcelona clashes

Atletico Madrid have returned to training on Wednesday with two more concerns than they had banked on. As they prepare for a crucial run of fixtures, two of their stars have come back from international duty with doubts over their availability.

Los Colchoneros host Barcelona at the Metropolitano on Saturday, before traveling to Camp Nou the following Wednesday. An away tie at Sevilla separates that game and the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final back home, before they return to Seville for the Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad.

Alexander Sørloth required six stitches following his head collision last night. His injury will be assessed.@marca pic.twitter.com/ADyiPe3GJl

— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) April 1, 2026

Alexander Sorloth nursing head wound

Atletico released a statement on Wednesday confirming that Alexander Sorloth had received stitches following a head injury while on Norway duty. Diario AS say that he will undergo tests on Thursday on the injury, and could miss their Liga encounter this weekend. Nevertheless, that would be a precaution, and he is expected to be fit for the Champions League clash against Barcelona next week.

Johnny Cardoso diagnosed with injury on return

Meanwhile Johnny Cardoso is perhaps a more serious concern. He was diagnosed with a muscle strain with the USMNT, but on his return to Madrid, tests have suggested that it would be more serious. Cardoso is suspended for the Liga clash with Barcelona, giving him a full week to recover before the first European tie.

Yet Marca say that there is in fact a muscular injury, and he is set to miss around two weeks of action. That would see him aiming to be back for the Copa del Rey final on the 18th of April. At a push, he could return in time to face Barcelona in the second leg of the Champions League clash on the 14th.

It leaves Diego Simeone desperately short of options in midfield, with Pablo Barrios also racing to be back for the final. Koke Resurreccion looks as if he will anchor the midfield as a result, and although Rodrigo Mendoza is returning, Marcos Llorente may end up operating in midfield more often in the middle of the pitch, with Marc Pubill or Nahuel Molina at right-back. Llorente will miss the league clash though.

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