Key Takeaways
- Julian Alvarez has recovered from the ankle twist he suffered during the first leg against Arsenal.
- Argentine reporter Gaston Edul confirms the striker will travel to London for Tuesday’s match.
- The 26-year-old has scored 10 goals in the Champions League this season.
Atletico Madrid can breathe easily. Their key forward Julian Alvarez will be ready for the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Arsenal next week.
The Argentina international left the pitch late in Tuesday’s match at the Metropolitano. Declan Rice fell on him, causing his ankle to twist. Manager Diego Simeone replaced him with Alex Baena after the player tried to continue.
Fans worried about the six-day gap between games. Twisted ankles usually need more time to heal. However, Simeone told reporters he expected all doubtful players to face the Gunners.
Now there is official confirmation. Well-known journalist Gaston Edul stated that Alvarez only felt pain at that moment. The medical team found no serious damage. On Thursday morning, Edul posted on social media that Alvarez is “fine” and cleared for the return fixture.
This solves a selection headache for Simeone. The former Manchester City striker had muscle problems before the first leg. He missed domestic matches against Elche and Athletic Club after playing the full 120 minutes in the Copa del Rey final.
Atletico will probably rest several stars this weekend when they visit Valencia. This extra break will help Alvarez prepare for the trip to North London.
The 26-year-old has been vital this term. He has found the net 20 times and created nine goals in 48 matches. Half of his total contributions have come in Europe, where he has 10 strikes and four assists in 14 appearances.
The second leg takes place at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday. The first match ended in a draw, making the return game decisive for a place in the final.