Juanfran doubtful for Barcelona clash as Atletico's injury crisis deepens

Madrid - Atletico Madrid's injury woes piled up on Thursday ahead of the weekend's top-of-the-table clash with Barcelona, with full-back Juanfran a doubt after the La Liga club announced he had injured his calf in training.

Juanfran joins Uruguayan defenders Diego Godin and Jose Maria Gimenez on the sidelines, meaning that coach Diego Simeone now has to face champions Barca without three of his starting back four.

Atletico go into the match at the Wanda Metropolitano in third place, just one point behind Ernesto Valverde's league leaders and level with both Sevilla and surprise package Alaves.