Sorloth sidelined by injury as Liga season looms

Alexander Sorloth will not be available from day one. The Norwegian striker at Atlético Madrid is sidelined by a muscle injury that will force him to miss the team's opening Liga matches, according to MARCA. The player had to leave training last week and has not featured with the squad since then.

The absence comes at the worst possible time for Diego Simeone. With Julián having barely any preparation time ahead of the debut against Málaga and Lookman as the only available attacking reference, the Atlético boss finds himself with virtually no options up front. Simeone will need to get creative to find alternatives while waiting for possible market moves to bolster a forward line already stretched thin by absences and a lack of competitive rhythm.