Alexander Sørloth’s return is in doubt as Atlético pin hopes on Jonathan David

Atlético de Madrid faces the second week of the international break with few options for Diego Pablo Simeone, since up to 17 players are away with their national teams. The main worry is Alexander Sørloth, still dealing with a muscle injury that began in pre-season and has kept him out for a month and a half.

As Mundo Deportivo reports, the Norwegian was expected to be available for this stretch of games and, if Simeone deemed it fit, could even have returned for the league restart against Alavés. But the team has changed while he has been out: Jonathan David arrived on the final day of the window and has produced three goals in four matches, making Sørloth’s immediate path to the starting XI tougher.

The piece also underlines how the issue started as a minor muscle problem before turning into a problem with the soleus, just as Julián Álvarez’s situation with the club was affecting plans. In the background, it notes that Juventus tried for Sørloth this summer, alongside approaches from Turkey, with the player seeking to avoid a secondary role.