Atletico Madrid have had 33 injuries from 31 matches Atletico Madrid Busy few months for the doctors

Diego Simeone's face said it all when Koke approached the bench at the Estadio El Alcoraz after Atletico Madrid's third goal against Huesca last Saturday and there was no need to lipread or to guess what was happening.

A gesture to the corner to signal that Victor Mollejo's arrival was imminent confirmed it, as Atleti had another injury.

After undergoing the relevant medical tests, Koke became the sixth Atleti player on the treatment tables after reaching 400 Rojiblancos appearances, an event that he also marked with an assist as well as a muscular injury in his right thigh.

Much like their cross-city cousins Real Madrid, Atletico have had miserable fortune with injuries this season and their tally stands at 33 for the campaign after just 31 matches.

It is striking that 22 of these issues have been muscular problems, and only 11 have come as a result of contact.

Of the 15 players to pass through the doctor's office the season, 11 of them have, at one time or another, gone in with this kind of concern.

Even Koke himself was sidelined for 23 days in November.

Jose Maria Gimenez, Diego Costa and Vitolo have really suffered, with the Uruguayan suffering five muscular injuries that have ruled him out of action for 82 days.

Beyond hoping that their luck turns, the analysis of the situation doesn't appear to suggest that there are any real solutions for the plague hitting the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano.

World Cup participation and a shorter summer break has proven to be a contributing factor, something that again wasn't helped by the early-season international breaks.

In this sense, their Copa del Rey elimination was something of a relief and they will continue to use academy players when and where they have to.