Atletico Madrid striker Alvaro Morata and defender Gabriel Paulista could both be called up for Tuesday’s match against Inter Milan.
This according to Spanish news outlet Marca, via FCInterNews. The outlet reports that the pair are back in training ahead of the Champions League round of sixteen first leg.
Inter and Atletico are just two days away from meeting in the Champions League.
The Spanish team will travel to the San Siro for the first leg on Tuesday evening.
And both coaches will be hoping to have their squads as close to full strength as possible for the European clash.
According to Marca, Atletico boss Diego Simeone could get a big boost in that respect.
The Spanish outlet anticipates that players at two ends of the pitch could return in time to be part of the La Liga giants’ squad for Tuesday’s match.
Alvaro Morata & Gabriel Paulista Could Be Called Up To Face Inter
One of the big talking points in terms of the Atletico squad heading into to Tuesday’s match has been the likely unavailability of striker Morata.
The 31-year-old former Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Juventus striker, has been one of Atletico’s key men this season.
Morata had looked close to the exit door during the summer. A move to Serie A seemed very possible, with Inter as well as Roma, Juventus, and AC Milan all considering signing the Spaniard.
But in the end, Morata stayed in the Spanish capital.
And Atletico have certainly benefited from having the Spanish international in their squad.
Morata has scored nineteen goals across all competitions so far this season. He has also acted as a real reference point in attack, forming the first-choice strike partnership with Antoine Griezmann.
Morata had sustained a knee injury during a league match against Sevilla earlier this month.
And it had looked as though this would be severe enough to keep the 31-year-old out of Tuesday’s match.
But Marca report that Morata trained with the rest of his teammates today.
This could mean that the striker could be ready to be part of the squad on Tuesday. However, a start would not be likely on his return from injury.
Meanwhile, former Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista was also in training today.
The Brazilian, who joined Atletico in the January transfer window, was not in the squad for the team’s La Liga victory over Las Palmas yesterday, due to an abdominal injury.
More must-reads: