Simeone provides Suarez update ahead of Bayern showdown

A positive COVID-19 test has sidelined the Atletico Madrid striker lately, but Simeone refuses to give up hope of welcoming him back.

Diego Simeone revealed Luis Suarez could still feature in Atletico Madrid’s Champions League showdown with Bayern Munich.

The former Barcelona striker, who has missed the club’s last three games due to a positive COVID-19 test, returned another positive result for the disease from his latest check-up. Therefore, Simeone didn’t name him in his 22-man squad.

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But it appears the Atletico boss hasn’t lost hope yet, even going as far as to imply he may still recall Suarez pending the outcome of the star’s test on Tuesday.

“This virus is strange,” said Simeone in his pre-match conference on Monday evening as quoted on AS.

“It is possible that tomorrow he tests negative and is fit. He has been training and wants to help the team.

“We will have to wait and see what happens and then inform you. I spoke to him yesterday and he felt good, wanting to be with the rest of the team.

“The most important thing is he is well. If he doesn’t play tomorrow, he will play on Saturday.”

The potential return of Suarez would be a welcome boost for Atletico ahead of a match they cannot afford to lose, especially if Lokomotiv Moscow beat RB Salzburg in the other Group A fixture on Tuesday night.

Simeone’s side hold a two-point advantage over the Russian club in second-place, and the final qualification spot for the last-16, in Group A with two games left.

Helping matters for Atletico is the Bayern heading to Madrid without Robert Lewandowski, Manuel Neuer, Leon Goretzka, Alphonso Davies, Joshua Kimmich, and Corentin Tolisso.