Key Takeaways
- Nicolas Gonzalez faces three to four weeks on the sidelines with a muscle injury
- The Argentine winger was scheduled to start against Arsenal at the Metropolitano
- Giuliano Simeone is now expected to replace him on the right side of attack
Atletico Madrid face a major selection headache just one day before their Champions League semi-final against Arsenal. The Spanish club have confirmed that winger Nicolas Gonzalez picked up a muscle problem during training on Tuesday.
Medical staff believe the Argentine will need between three and four weeks to recover. This timescale could rule him out for the remainder of the season, even if Atletico reach the final in Munich.
According to reports from Cadena SER, manager Diego Simeone had planned to start Gonzalez on the right flank against the Gunners. The player had delivered strong displays in that position during recent victories over Elche and Athletic Club. With Gonzalez unavailable, Giuliano Simeone now looks likely to take his place in the starting eleven.
The injury also ends any chance of Gonzalez meeting the appearance target needed to trigger his mandatory purchase clause. The deal contains a €32 million option that becomes obligatory after a set number of league appearances. While that milestone is now out of reach, sources indicate that Atletico still hope to negotiate a lower fee to keep the player beyond this summer.
Gonzalez has featured 39 times across all competitions this term, finding the net on five occasions. He has made 22 starts but has often been deployed in different roles, including spells at left-back. His most effective performances have come on the right wing, though competition for places has increased since Ademola Lookman arrived in January.