Pablo Barrios and Alexander Sorloth return for Alavés trip

Atletico Madrid will have Pablo Barrios and Alexander Sorloth available for their Saturday clash with Alavés. Simeone confirmed in his Friday press conference that both will play, though he did not say whether they will start or come off the bench.

Barrios has missed the last three matches, while Sorloth has not taken any minutes this season due to a muscular problem. The coach pointed to the way they complement the team: he said the Norwegian “balances a side of the game” the side lacks, and that the midfielder provides “what he is used to giving”.

Simeone added that this will be the first game of the campaign with his full squad available, with no injury absences or suspensions for the trip to Mendizorroza. Barrios suffered his injury on September 9 versus Liverpool in the Champions League, and Sorloth’s issue came mid-August in the calf.