In exactly two weeks, Atletico Madrid will start their La Liga campaign 2025-26 with a trip to Espanyol. There is a lot of optimism around Los Colchoneros prior to the new season after a lot of positive activity during the summer transfer window, but part of it can now be dulled.
Atleti has had a reduced schedule for the season because of their involvement at the club World Cup, and that meant that their players did not have a normal period of football. And that could have influenced Pablo Barrios, which has fallen with an injury.
According to an official statement from Atleti, Barrios has sustained a low muscle injury.
“The red-and-white '8' will perform physiotherapy sessions and size work in the gym and the evolution of his injury will determine his return to competition.”
Atleti has not specified a return date for barrios, which is one of the undisputed starters for Diego Simeone. And since it is a muscle injury, there is a chance that he could miss against Espanyol, given that the game takes place in two weeks in the RCDE stadium.
However, Pedro Fullana from Cadena SER has been reported that Athleti does not expect that barrios is outside for more than a week, which means that he should be available to start in the La Liga opener.
It is a relief for Athleti that the injury of barrios is not serious, given his interest in Simeone. He will be managed in the coming days, but apart from all the setbacks, he should be in order with Espanyol.