Atletico Madrid Women defender Andrea Medina suffered a traumatic brain injury during their Women's Champions League defeat to Juventus Women. The 21-year-old collapsed in the 73rd minute following a collision and was stretchered off for hospital treatment. Atletico lost 1-2, but updates confirm Medina is doing well.
The Women's Champions League match between Atletico Madrid Women and Juventus Women on Wednesday was overshadowed by a serious injury to Atletico's Andrea Medina. In the 73rd minute, with the score at 1-1, Medina challenged Juventus captain Barbara Bonansea and suddenly collapsed to the turf, remaining motionless. The referee called for immediate medical assistance, and medics treated her on the pitch for around five to six minutes before she was stretchered off and transported to a hospital by ambulance.
Atletico Madrid issued a statement confirming the diagnosis: "Andrea Medina was replaced after suffering a traumatic brain injury. The footballer is doing well but has been transferred to a hospital centre to undergo additional tests." Head coach Carmen Menayo provided a positive update post-match, saying: "I think she's doing well, she's in the hospital, and she has to undergo tests but I think she's doing fine. That's the most important thing of all."
English broadcaster Jacqui Oatley, commentating for Disney+, described the incident as "horrendous" on social media: "We've just commentated on Atletico Madrid’s game v Juventus for Disney+ and young Spanish left back Andrea Medina suddenly went down - she received urgent lengthy treatment before being carried off. We wish her all the very best and hope she's OK."
Despite the disruption, the game continued with 10 minutes of stoppage time added. Atletico had opened the scoring before halftime through Amaiur Sarriegi, but Emma Stølen Godø equalized shortly after. Bonansea netted the winner in the 56th minute, securing a 2-1 victory for Juventus. The result dropped Atletico to 10th in the new league phase table with one win and two losses from three games, while Juventus climbed to eighth.
Medina, a 21-year-old full-back, joined Atletico in 2022 after 57 appearances for Real Betis, where she scored two goals. She has made 103 appearances for Atletico, scoring twice, and has represented Spain at youth levels from U16 to U23, winning two U19 European Championships and the U20 World Cup. She has featured in all three of Atletico's Champions League matches this season, including scoring in their 6-0 win over St Polten.