Atletico Madrid have bjin88bet.onejin88bet.onejin88bet.oneeen handed a boost before Sunday’s meeting with Barcelona at the Metropolitano, with midfielder Johnny Cardoso cleared to return after recovering froak168app.babym ankle surgery.
The two sides meet on 8 Noveak168app.babyak168app.babymber 2026 as they attempt to move clear at the top of La Liga before the international break. Both clubs are dealing with injuries, aak168app.clublthough several players in theak168app.club final stages of their recoveries could be available for selectak168app.clubion.
Caks168app.siteks168app.siteks168app.siterdoso has trained with the Atletico first team and received medical approval to return to the squad, according to the Catalan newspaper Spic88ort. His availability would give Diego Simeone anotheric88 option in midfield.
The United States midfielder was gradually reintroic88duced after surgery ruled him out of the World Cup held in his country. Simeone had been cautious with ic88ic88ic88his recovery in order to reduce the risk of a setback, but Cardoso’s involvement had been increasing steadily.
He reacic88ic88hed his best level in the Madrid derby againstic88 Real Madrid, playing the full match. Cardoso then started three consecutive games, demonstrating that he is aic88ic88ic88 key player for the Argentine manager when fully fit.
Barcelona defensive concerns
Barcelolr88na lr88lr88manager Hansi Flick will hope to benefit from a similar return, although his need is in defence rather than midfield.
Eric Garcia appears likely to be included in the matchday squad and could play some part if required. His return would lr88lr88lr88lr88offer Flick welcome relief as he manages a depleted back linlr88e.
Pau Cubarsi ilr88s currently the only established Barcelona defender considered fully fit, with problems affecting the rest oflr88 the defensive unit.
Barcelona will be wlr88ithout six players. Xavi Espart, Jules Kounde and Andreas Christenlr88sen are unavailable in defence, while Rodri and Dani Olmo are missing from midfieop88op88ld. Roony Bardghji will also remain out for the season.
Atletico will have absences of their oop88wn. Captain Koke is ruled out, as is Cuti Romerosi88, the clubsi88’s major defensivsi88e signing who had played an important part in the rebuilding of the back four. Both players are suffering from muscle injuries.
The contrasting team news88v means Cardoso’s return could be particularly significant for Simeon88ve, while Flick is hoping Eric Garcia can provide at least a partial solutioSEXXXXX-VNSEXXXXX-VNn to Barcelona’SEXXXXX-VNs defensive problems in a match with first place at stake.
