Diego Simeone, the Atlético Madrid head coach, has confirmed that Pablo Barrios will miss Sunday night's match against Real Sociedad, a game the Argentine has described as demanding given the visitors' collective intensity. The midfielder will not be available, and Simeone admitted at Saturday's press conference that the absence is a significant one for his side.
Barrios' absence and last season's precedent
Simeone pointed back to last season to explain how he plans to cope without the midfielder. "He's an important player for us, but even so, we'll aim, just as we did last season whilst he was out, to keep competing as we did then," the coach said. He added that whoever gets the nod will give everything: "Obviously, as for the guys who get the chance to play, I have no doubt they'll give their all, which is what matters to us."
Sørloth nearing a return
Simeone also addressed Alexander Sørloth's situation, with the forward still unable to help the team. The coach said the Norwegian is keen to come back and possesses qualities the squad currently lacks. He defended his son Giuliano Simeone against recent criticism and touched on the team's defensive issues, referencing the 3-0 defeat in Bilbao as the only game this season in which Atlético failed to score. The coach stressed his side needs more balance and consistency over the full 90 minutes, pointing to a strong first half against Liverpool before a lapse in concentration allowed the visitors back into the game.
Real Sociedad arrive without Zubeldia and Odriozola
The San Sebastián club travel to the Spanish capital sitting 11th in La Liga on 7 points from five games, with two wins, one draw and two defeats, and a negative goal difference of 6 scored against 8 conceded. Real Sociedad arrive on the back of a 2-3 win away at Elche, with Jon Ochieng scoring twice, Yon Herrera adding a third and Sucic sealing it late, following a goalless draw with Celta Vigo and a win over Espanyol earlier in the campaign. Igor Zubeldia and Álvaro Odriozola remain sidelined, forcing changes at the back.
The gap to leaders Barcelona already stands at 5 points, and a poor result at the Metropolitano would only add pressure before the international break. There is no rest afterwards either: Real Sociedad head to Mestalla on 20 September to face a Valencia side currently 20th, a fixture already listed on the club's fixtures page. Before that, the coaching staff must work out how to reshuffle the defence without both full backs, a puzzle that can be tracked through the squad section and the standings table showing the current 11th-place finish.
