Rocio Robles
Héctor Herrera is out of Atlético de Madrid for the Champions League quarterfinal clash due to a thigh problem.
On Tuesday, April 5, Atlético de Madrid will visit Manchester City in England to play the first leg of the quarterfinals of the European competition, but will do so lacking the Mexican player. There was a rumor on Sunday about the possibility of Héctor Herrera being absent in this match due to an ailment, but it was confirmed on Monday that he will not be in the team for the trip to Manchester, as coach Diego Simeone did not include him in the call-up list.
Since he was unable to play the last CONCACAF qualifying match with the Mexican National Team against El Salvador due to an accumulation of cards, Herrera return to train with Atletico earlier than expected. He joined the Spanish team and suffered the thigh injury on Wednesday. According to the medical report, his evolution will determine his availability.
Herrera was being considered by “Cholo” lately, but this injury prevents him from continuing to add minutes with the colchonera team.
The Mexican player will be absent for the second consecutive match, but coach Diego Simeone has been optimistic, as he was asked about Herrera prior to the match against Alavés and declared: “He will surely be back soon; according to the doctor’s comments, his injury is not so serious”.
Héctor Herrera is not the only one to miss the match
Héctor Herrera is not the only sensitive casualty that Atlético de Madrid will have for this Champions League match; the Uruguayan defender, José María Giménez, also failed to recover in time. Before the call-up list was presented, the following was announced: “José María Giménez is not part of the red-and-white expedition to Manchester. Due to some discomfort, the Uruguayan defender left the field in the final minutes of the match against Deportivo Alavés.The red-and-white medical services carried out different examinations and, ultimately, he will not travel to England. The progression of his distress will determine his return to team work”.
Another major absentee will be Belgian Yannick Carrasco, who must serve the last of the three-match suspension he received in the last match of the group stage against Porto. Carrasco had already missed the round of 16 series against Manchester United, and once again he will be left out of the squad for a UEFA Champions League match.
It is expected that both Héctor Herrera and the other two players will be available to the coach for the second leg at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday, April 13. Before that, though, they may appear on Saturday, April 9 in the clash against Mallorca in La Liga, where they are located in third place.
