Atletico dealt Depay injury blow for Dortmund clash
Atletico Madrid has suffered a setback in their preparations to play at home to Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal on Wednesday, with the news that Memphis Depay is almost certain to miss the game through injury.
Atletico de Madrid's Memphis Depay (C) breaks through during the Spanish La Liga football match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Betis, in Madrid, Spain, on March 3, 2024. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)
The Dutch striker had to withdraw from Atletico's training session on Saturday, after pulling up in a practice game and had to be carried from the pitch with an apparent muscle problem.
The forward, who scored a dramatic 87th-minute goal as Atletico knocked Inter Milan out of the previous round, has undergone tests. After missing Monday's preparatory session, it's unlikely he will recover in time, robbing coach Diego Simeone of a key player.
Memphis had been very effective as a second-half substitute, but recent displays meant he had a chance of starting against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday ahead of Spain international Alvaro Morata.
Morata is now almost certain to partner Antoine Griezmann in attack, while Simeone will lose a player who would have been vital as the club looks to qualify for the last-four in the Champions League and also aims to assure a top-four finish in La Liga this season.