Diego Pablo Simeone has decided to exclude Koke from the squad list for the next match against Manchester United, while the Atlético de Madrid coach has incorporated two players who had been ruled out after their match with Alavés. The decision comes after confirmation of the death of Koke's mother, Ana Merodio Borja, on the same day as the call.
The coach has maintained practically the same lineup that he used in the duel against Alavés, with the difference that Pablo Barrios and Alexander Sorloth, both recovered from injuries, return to the list. Barrios had been injured shortly before the match at Anfield, while Sorloth has overcome a muscle injury and is ready for his first Champions League game of the season. In addition, Rodrigo Mendoza and Obed Vargas, who were not part of the League squad, have been included in the list for the European match. Mendoza had played with the U-21 team during the last break, and Vargas appears alongside youth players Jorge Domínguez and Jorge Castillo, both from the reserve team.
The squad is made up of goalkeepers Jan Oblak, Juan Musso and Salvador Esquivel; defenders Cristian “Cuti” Romero, Marc Pubill, David Hancko, Alejandro Grimaldo, Dani Martínez, Robin Le Normand and Jorge Domínguez; the midfielders Jorge Castillo, Obed Vargas, Rodrigo Mendoza, Johnny Cardoso, Morten Hjulmand, Pablo Barrios, Álex Baena and Marcos Llorente; the wingers Ademola Lookman, Arnau Ortiz and Giuliano Simeone; and forwards Kang-in Lee, Alexander Sorloth, Jonathan David and Julián Álvarez.
With this selection, Simeone seeks to maintain the team's continuity after the success against Alavés, while providing an opportunity to players who have demonstrated their resilience. The next match against Manchester United will be a key test for Atlético in the group stage of the Champions League, and the inclusion of players like Barrios, Sorloth, Mendoza and Vargas could bring freshness and dynamism to the team. The result of this match will determine the team's position in the group table and its continuity in the European competition.