Atlético de Madrid has once again counted on its Argentine centre-back, Cuti Romero, after a low-grade adductor injury that prevented him from playing in the last games. The player returned to training on Tuesday and was available for the next match against Levante, scheduled for Saturday at the Ciutat de Valencia. Romero, who retired in the 67th minute of the match with Espanyol, had been replaced by Rodrigo Mendoza after noticing discomfort that was later confirmed as a minor injury.
Romero's absence was felt in two recent matches: the 0-0 draw against Stuttgart, where Atlético was outplayed in the first half, and the 1-0 victory over Deportivo de La Coruña, in which the team barely managed to get into the game and depended on a decisive stop by Oblak in injury time. Both games showed the worst version of the team since their 0‑3 defeat against Real Sociedad, and the lack of Romero's presence was felt in the defensive solidity.
With his return, the Argentine once again brings not only his defensive ability, but also a winning mentality that has been evident in his recent statements. In a video published on the Edul YouTube channel, Romero explained that his goal is to “compete in the games to the fullest” and that “at the end of the season, lifting a trophy with the club would be something historic at the group level.” The player emphasized that his dream is to win something with Atlético, considering it the only way to leave his name written in the club and to be remembered by the fans.
Romero also spoke about the importance of motivating the fans and the team from the locker room. "The objective is to achieve something with the club. That is what we will convey behind closed doors of the locker room. We have a very healthy, very good group, with our feet on the ground, we are not big ones and each game for us is a final, but a final because we want to raise something with the club," he stated. His return comes at a critical moment in the season, with a demanding stretch of matches that includes the duel against Levante, followed by the match with Bayern Munich, where Atlético will have to face the new Ballon d'Or winner, Harry Kane, and then Barcelona, which arrives with an injured team after the defeat in the Clásico.
Romero's return comes after Atlético tried to sign him a year ago, when Tottenham closed in. Since his arrival, the player has expressed that he found a new home in Madrid and that his family is very happy. "From the first day I arrived, I realized that I found a new home. I am going to give my best until the last day," he added. With its reinforced presence, Atlético de Madrid seeks to consolidate its defense and rekindle its title ambition in the last phase of the competition.