Atlético Madrid have confirmed an injury update on defender Javi Galan.
The Spain international was forced off at half-time in Los Rojiblancos’ UEFA Champions League victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
Reinildo Mandava replaced him for the second period as Diego Simeone’s ten men achieved an excellent victory in the Spanish capital.
Simeone confirmed further testing would offer insight into Galan’s injury with his first choice back now set for a spell on the sidelines.
The 2024/25 season has been a redemption for Galan in Madrid as he forced his way back into Simeone’s starting XI.
According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, the 30-year-old trained only in today’s session, ahead of the weekend’s La Liga clash with Villarreal.
A sprained ankle is the final verdict on Galan, but the club does not expect a long-term absence, with his rehabilitation already underway.
Galan was already suspended for the game against the Yellow Submarine, after hitting the yellow card mark in La Liga, and is expected to be out for 2-3 weeks.
Along with the Villarreal game, he will miss the final Champions League game at RB Salzburg, followed by a league trip to Mallorca on February 1.
Reinildo will come into the starting line-up as cover in Galan’s absence, with his chances of a January exit now looking as Simeone targets squad balance in the fixture of the season.
The main focus for Galan and Simeone will be the Madrid Derby against Real Madrid on February 8, with signs positive for a crunch clash across town as the title race is tighter than ever.
Los Blancos currently sit at the top of the table, with a two-point lead over Simeone’s charges, meaning Derby could be a potential starter and Barcelona’s title falling in the opening weeks of 2025.