MADRID(AP) Atletico Madrid has says it has lost principal playmaker Diego for one month with a right leg injury.
The Brazilian midfielder, who hurt his leg muscle during Sunday's 1-1 draw at Sporting Gijon, says ''the worst thing is not the physical but the mental, to leave the team behind now.''
The former Juventus and Wolfsburg player has been one of the catalysts to turning around the team's fortunes since the arrival of coach Diego Simeone, with Atletico unbeaten in eight games under the Argentine coach.
Diego misses Thursday's Europa League match against Lazio plus upcoming Spanish league matches against Barcelona and Sevilla.