Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin has undergone reconstructive procedure on his mouth after losing some of his teeth after a brutal collision in a Spanish league match on Sunday.
Atletico says Godin underwent the procedure in a dental clinic in Madrid, following the team’s 1-0 home win over Valencia at Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
Godin had to be replaced early in the second half after colliding with Valencia goalkeeper Neto while going for a high cross into the area.
Neto’s elbow appeared to hit Godin directly on his face, and replays showed one of Godin’s teeth flying out of his mouth.
The Uruguay defender bled profusely as some of his teeth were visibly out of place.
Atletico workers were reportedly sent to the field after the game to try to find his teeth.
Manager Diego Simeone joked that one of his players would have to be ‘killed’ for the referee to blow his whistle.
‘They will have to kill us for us to be awarded a penalty, if that was not one for Godin,’ Diego Simeone said.
‘I am not sure on the diagnosis but the doctor will know more tomorrow. It is not easy to make so many changes in defence but our reinforcements did very well.’
Atletico, nine points behind league leader Barcelona, had already lost central defender Stefan Savic before halftime because of a muscle injury on his left thigh.
Simeone did not know when either defender would be fit to return.