{"id":1445244,"date":"2026-04-27T12:48:48","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T11:48:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1445244"},"modified":"2026-04-27T17:07:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T16:07:20","slug":"tactical-analysis-atletico-madrid-arsenal-barrios-cardoso-llorente","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-atletico-madrid-arsenal-barrios-cardoso-llorente\/","title":{"rendered":"Atletico Madrid analysis: Barrios injury leaves Simeone with midfield selection dilemma for Arsenal clash"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Atletico Madrid suffered a significant blow at the weekend.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Los Colchoneros<\/em> ended a four-game losing run with a 3-2 victory over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday. They won, but at what cost. Well, the cost was a thigh injury for Pablo Barrios. The 22-year-old limped off on the hour mark. It hinders Atletico&#8217;s chances of progressing past Arsenal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>In this article, we&#8217;ll cover:<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-barrios-absence-a-blow-for-atleti\" data-level=\"3\">Barrios absence a blow for Atleti<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-johnny-cardoso-vs-marcos-llorente\" data-level=\"3\">Johnny Cardoso vs Marcos Llorente<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-llorente-the-better-fit-in-central-midfield\" data-level=\"3\">Llorente the better fit in central midfield?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Barrios has forged a fine midfield partnership with compatriot Koke. The young Spaniard is able to shake off opposition pressure with ease and drive the ball upfield for Atletico. What\u2019s more, his high work rate means he\u2019s indispensable for Diego Simeone\u2019s hard-working Atleti side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-barrios-absence-a-blow-for-atleti\">Barrios absence a blow for Atleti<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>So, for the youngster to sit out both semi-final meetings with Arsenal is a significant blow. The Madrid giants are on the cusp of a first <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/champions-league-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Champions League<\/a> final since 2016. They already faced an uphill task when it was confirmed they\u2019d face the Premier League leaders in the final four. Barrios\u2019 absence makes it nigh-on insurmountable, even if he did play the full 90 when the pair locked horns at the Emirates last October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What&#8217;s more, this is a different Arsenal team now. They\u2019ve won only two of their last seven heading into Wednesday\u2019s first leg clash, and both were by a single goal as they beat Sporting CP in Lisbon and Newcastle United at the Emirates over the weekend. Atletico will sense blood. What Simeone would have given to have Barrios available.<\/p>\n\n\n<hr \/>\r\n<h2>SpreadEx Sign-Up Offer:\u00a0<\/h2>\r\n<p>SpreadEx are offering new customers the chance to get \u00a360 in free bets when they join and place \u00a310 in qualifying bets.<\/p>\r\n<p>To claim this offer, follow these steps:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Create your account by clicking <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/go\/spreadex?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">this link<\/a> or the image below.<\/li>\r\n<li>Register for your account by adding your details. It only takes a few minutes.<\/li>\r\n<li>Make your first deposit then place a \u00a310 single or \u00a310 each-way fixed odds bet at minimum odds of 1\/2<\/li>\r\n<li>Get 3 x \u00a310 free fixed odds bets, 3 x \u00a35 Total Goals football spread bets and 3 x \u00a35 Winning Favourites spread bets on consecutive days and a \u00a31 racing Race Index spread bet<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-1393518\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-1024x523.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"523\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-1024x523.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-300x153.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-768x392.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-400x204.png 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-392x200.png 392w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-118x60.png 118w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-150x77.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-40x20.png 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86.png 1338w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<div class=\"bookmaker-review\">\r\n<div class=\"bookmaker-review__bet\">\r\n<div class=\"warning\">\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Spread betting losses can exceed deposit. 18+ www.gambleaware.org. Place a \u00a310 fixed odds single or \u00a310 each-way bet at minimum odds of 1\/2 and get 3 x \u00a310 free fixed odds bets, 3 x \u00a35 Total Goals football spread bets and 3 x \u00a35 Winning Favourites spread bets and a \u00a31 racing Race Index spread bet. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\r\n<hr \/><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Even so, the Argentine isn\u2019t short of options to fill the void in the middle of the park. Chances are Simeone will continue with his favoured 4-4-2 setup. Julian Alvarez will feature on the frontline, partnered with either the experienced Antoine Griezmann or the returning Alexander Sorloth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The issue now, though, is who joins Koke in the middle of the park. This is a real selection dilemma for Simeone, and he\u2019s down to two standout options &#8211; Johnny Cardoso or Marcos Llorente.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-johnny-cardoso-vs-marcos-llorente\">Johnny Cardoso vs Marcos Llorente<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>American Cardoso replaced Barrios for the final half-hour against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday. However, the former Real Betis man hasn\u2019t wholly convinced Simeone he warrants a regular first-team spot. Indeed, Cardoso has made just 12 league starts and four European starts for Atletico this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s not to say that Cardoso has disappointed when called upon. The 24-year-old has proven an effective ball-winner in the Champions League. 3.3 tackles per 90 minutes ranks among the top 15 players in the competition this season. The issue for Simeone, though, will be what Cardoso does when he does win the ball back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cardoso may be averaging more passes per 90 (48.3) than Llorente (42.9) in the Champions League this season. However, the former ranks lower than the latter for both pass accuracy (85.4% to 90%) and chances created per 90 (0.3 to 0.9). Furthermore, Llorente ranks higher for forward passes per 90 (14.2 to 11.8).<\/p>\n\n\n<div class='vccm vccm-compare'data-compare=\"IkkER1t6DDJUQL4oCBaCd\" data-show-sponsor=\"false\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>On the face of it, Llorente is the better fit to start in place of the injured Barrios. However, the above numbers also take into Llorente\u2019s time at right-back. This in itself is another selection conundrum for Simeone. Does he move the Spain international into midfield and bring Nahuel Molina into the XI?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-llorente-the-better-fit-in-central-midfield\">Llorente the better fit in central midfield?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Even so, in central midfield, Llorente is putting up worse numbers than Cardoso. Forward passes per 90 drops to 9.9 when he starts in central midfield. So, too, do passes per 90 (34.6), pass accuracy (86.7%) and chances created per 90 (0.2). It\u2019s not so cut and dry as to who replaces Barrios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To an extent, it\u2019s a nice selection headache for Simeone. He has two top-quality stand ins in the middle of the park to ease the absence of Barrios. However, looking at the quarter-final meetings with Barcelona, Simeone may just opt for Llorente in place of Cardoso alongside Koke, and it\u2019s easy to see why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cardoso boasts limited Champions League experience. His start in the second-leg 3-2 loss at Tottenham last month was just his fourth of his career. Llorente by comparison is a seasoned pro in the competition. Indeed, 971 minutes of Champions League action ranks fourth for Atletico this season. Cardoso, meanwhile, has registered just 384 minutes of <em>career<\/em> action, all of which have come in 2025-26.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As such, while Cardoso <em>may<\/em> be putting up stronger numbers in midfield than Llorente, the latter\u2019s experience in the competition means in all likelihood he\u2019ll start alongside Koke in the middle of the park against Arsenal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Playing against a relegation-threatened Spurs side is one thing. Starting a clash with the Premier League leaders and one of the Champions League favourites is a whole different kettle of fish.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/\"><strong>Latest football news<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football betting tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best betting sites<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/best-free-bet-offers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best free bet offers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/accumulator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football accumulator tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Atletico Madrid suffered a significant blow at the weekend. Los Colchoneros ended a four-game losing run with a 3-2 victory over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday. They won, but at what cost. Well, the cost was a thigh injury for Pablo Barrios. The 22-year-old limped off on the hour mark. It hinders Atletico&#8217;s chances of progressing&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3564,"featured_media":1445245,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"How Pablo Barrios\u2019 injury leaves Diego Simeone facing a crucial midfield decision in this Champions League semi-final preview.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[],"class_list":["post-1445244","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.1 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Atletico Madrid analysis: Barrios injury leaves Simeone with midfield selection dilemma for Arsenal clash | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"How Pablo Barrios\u2019 injury leaves Diego Simeone facing a crucial midfield decision in this Champions League semi-final preview.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-atletico-madrid-arsenal-barrios-cardoso-llorente\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Atletico Madrid analysis: Barrios injury leaves Simeone with midfield selection dilemma for Arsenal clash\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"How Pablo Barrios\u2019 injury leaves Diego Simeone facing a crucial midfield decision in this Champions League semi-final preview.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/tactical-analysis-atletico-madrid-arsenal-barrios-cardoso-llorente\/\" \/>\n<meta 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