Simeone Rules Out Five for Barcelona Visit

The absences force changes in goal plus midfield for the league match.

Overview

Diego Simeone, who spoke Friday, confirmed Atlético will be without Jan Oblak, Rodrigo Mendoza, Pablo Barrios, Marc Pubill and Johnny Cardoso against Barcelona on Saturday.
With Oblak still out, Juan Musso is expected to start in goal, and Simeone said Oblak and Mendoza plan to rejoin training Monday with Pubill also a possibility before next week’s Champions League first leg.
Midfield options are thin as Cardoso is injured, Barrios is not yet ready and Mendoza remains out, leaving captain Koke and teenager Obed Vargas as the likeliest central pairing.
Reports differ on Alexander Sørloth’s status after a recent head wound, with one outlet suggesting he could feature and another saying he is unlikely to play.
Barcelona will miss Raphinha for about five weeks due to an international injury, and these clubs are set to meet three times in roughly 10 days, including the Champions League first leg at Camp Nou next week.