What happened: Medical tests confirmed the Argentine center-back sustained a minor adductor muscle setback that interrupts his run of consecutive appearances in central defense. He is slated to spend roughly 10 days off the pitch working back to fitness, sidelining him for the Champions League clash against Stuttgart and the Matchday 10 league fixture against Deportivo.

Why it matters: The absence forces Atlético de Madrid to reconfigure the heart of their back line across both European and domestic play without a defensive mainstay. It marks another physical interruption for Romero after he previously addressed an injury concern in June.

What to watch: Club medical staff are targeting the Matchday 11 league fixture against Levante for his return while avoiding an accelerated timeline that could risk a recurrence.