Diego Simeone addresses Atletico Madrid injury concerns ahead of Liverpool tie

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Diego Simeone has addressed Atletico Madrid’s growing injury concerns ahead of their Champions League clash with Liverpool.

After facing Burnley on Sunday, the Reds return to Anfield next Wednesday to kick off their Champions League campaign against Atletico Madrid.

The Premier League champions finished top of the league phase last season but were knocked out on penalties by eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16.

Arne Slot will be aiming for a strong start against the La Liga giants, who have endured a difficult opening to the campaign and are battling several injury setbacks.

Simeone will be missing key players, including Jose Gimenez, Alex Baena, and Thiago Almada, due to injury.

The injuries come at a tough moment for Simeone, with Atletico sitting 16th after a 2-1 loss to Espanyol and 1-1 draws against Elche and Alaves.

Anxiety has already grown among fans at the Wanda Metropolitano, the venue for this season’s Champions League final.

Atletico Madrid welcomed 11 new arrivals this summer.

Among them are Alex Baena from Villarreal and Thiago Almada from Botafogo, along with David Hancko, Johnny Cardoso, Giacomo Raspadori, Matteo Ruggeri, Marc Pubill, Santiago Mourino, Nico Gonzalez, and Clement Lenglet.

Simeone said: “Footballers are athletes; these situations can happen in any national team.

“He’s an important player who adds to Baena’s situation, but we have to live with what happens, and that’s why we need a strong squad.”

He added: “I don’t expect anything; when you expect in life, you despair.

“We need to work so that people identify with the team.

“As for the affection the fans have shown me, I’ve been grateful since I arrived in ’94, and I’m the one who has to keep giving the people what they expect from our team.”

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