Atletico Madrid will enter the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Barcelona without two stars due to injury.
According to Spanish media, Koke has not fully recovered from the injury he sustained against Celta Vigo last week.
Koke already missed the Valencia match on Saturday in La Liga, and was expected to be in time for the Barça summit, but he did not complete his recovery and Diego Simeone decided not to risk him.
The other name is Cesar Azpilicueta, who was injured in the Valencia match, and will be out for a while, but it will not be long.
Pablo Barrios will return to participate against Barcelona, after serving a suspension against Valencia, due to his expulsion in the Celta Vigo match.
The rest of the Atletico Madrid players trained without any problems, so Simeone’s squad will only be absent from the duo Koke and Azpilicueta.
It is noteworthy that Los Rojiblancos occupy third place in La Liga, one point behind Real Madrid and Barcelona, and they were shocked by the draw with the royal club in the round of 16 of the Champions League.
