Atletico Madrid welcome back key cog in their machine ahead of crucial season run-in

It has been a real stop-start campaign for Jose Maria Gimenez, who has been injured on no less than four occasions so far this season. The Uruguayan defender is a crucial part of the Atletico Madrid puzzle for head coach Diego Simeone, and it’s safe to say that they have struggled in his absence.

Defeat last time out against Barcelona has meant that Atleti are now outside of the top four, meaning that Champions League football for next season is far from being a certainty. A strong season run-in is required, during which they are also competing in the UCL (they face Borussia Dortmund in the QFs), and the good news is that Gimenez is back for this stretch of matches.

As per Diario AS, Gimenez has returned to full training with Atleti, and he has chances to start on Monday against Villarreal. After that, Simeone’s side have a nine-day gap before they host Dortmund at the Civitas Metropolitano in the first leg of their quarter-final tie.

It is certainly good news for Atletico Madrid that they can count on Gimenez again. He could play a big role in the tightening-up of their defence, which is desperately needed for these upcoming weeks.