A collision that threatens disaster: Atletico Madrid hold their breath before the Barcelona clash
Atlético Madrid received worrying news during the international break after their defender Marc Pubill was forced to leave Spain's match against England, having suffered pain in his ankle following a collision with his teammate, the goalkeeper Unai Simón, in the clash that brought the two sides together in the final round of the group stage of the UEFA Nations League.
Pubill couldn't carry on after the collision left him on the turf. He waved to the medical staff with clear signs of pain, and De la Fuente made the call in the 20th minute, sending on Tottenham defender Pedro Porro in his place.
Collision with Unai Simón ends Pubill's involvement
The injury struck as Pubill tried to deal with a ball from a corner. Unai Simón rushed out to clear it but landed on top of his team-mate, leaving Pubill grounded with a blow to his ankle.
Treatment bought the Atlético Madrid defender some time, and he tried to soldier on. The pain had other ideas. De la Fuente was forced into an early change he never planned for, handing Pedro Porro his chance.
He walked off under his own steam, needing no assistance, and he showed no signs of severe pain on his way to the bench. That was a reassuring picture. It settles nothing, though, and doesn't rule out a muscular or joint problem that could sideline him for a spell.
Atlético Madrid now wait on the results of the medical tests to learn the extent of the damage. Pubill chose not to risk finishing the match, with club competitions resuming soon and a big fixture against Barcelona on the horizon.
The Barcelona fixture
Inside Atlético Madrid, Pubill's condition is drawing special attention ahead of Wednesday 2 December's clash with Barcelona at the Spotify Camp Nou. The game, held over from the 23rd round of the Spanish league, was rescheduled because both sides featured in the Spanish Super Cup.
It falls at a crucial moment for the Madrid side. Diego Simeone needs a full squad before a run of domestic and continental fixtures, which makes Pubill's situation a real concern for the coaching staff.
De la Fuente had picked Pubill at right-back against England, only to pull him off early through injury. His chances of featuring in the upcoming matches now hang on the medical assessment over the coming hours.
How long the Spanish defender might be out remains unclear, and so does whether the injury will dent his readiness for Barcelona. Everything waits on the tests that will reveal the extent of the damage from his collision with Unai Simón.
