Alvaro Morata to be available for Madrid derby

Atletico Madrid striker Alvaro Morata returned to training with the group on Thursday, having recovered from a thigh knock and ready for Sunday's derby against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, as he showed in the morning session after the 2-1 win over Rayo.

The Madrid attacker was not called up for the match at the Cívitas Metropolitano stadium due to a knee injury suffered last Sunday against Valencia, nor had he trained on Monday or Tuesday, with work in the gym, until Thursday, when he took to the pitch to train normally and intensely.

Simeone can already count on him for the derby, in which he has the absences of Thomas Lemar, out of the last 28 matches of his team due to the rupture of the right Achilles tendon suffered on 16 September; Cesar Azpilicueta, absent for the last two weeks due to a meniscus tear; and Jose Maria Gimenez, injured against Valencia. The Uruguayan did not play against Rayo and will not play on Sunday against Real Madrid.

The rest of the squad will be at the disposal of the Argentine coach, including Gabriel Paulista, signed on Wednesday from Valencia, straight into the squad against Rayo, although he did not play a single minute, and already in contention for a starting place in the centre of Atletico's defence.

 

February 1, 2024