After training normally all week, Julián Alvarez will be included in Atlético de Madrid’s squad for this Saturday’s match at San Mamés. “He is training very well and will be part of the group for Bilbao,” announced Diego Pablo Simeone.
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The strategy to try to get the Argentine forward to reverse the situation after the ways he used in his failed escape to Barcelona. On Thursday, Paulo Futre, an icon for the rojiblanca fans, threw him the first lifeline. “Julián, I was not born from Atleti. I am Portuguese, I arrived at 21 years old as a European champion and later Silver Ball winner. I was a colt and this colt has fallen in love with this unique badge,” said the Portuguese, who added: “Forgiveness is not with words, it is with goals. And I have no doubt that you will give everything and sweat the shirt until the last drop for this badge. Up Atleti Julián! Let’s go champion!”
This Friday, Simeone echoed Futre’s message. “He has the opportunity to resolve situations internally so that they make him better and so that we see him happy, which is what we want, that he is content and that he scores goals for us as Futre conveyed to us in a nice video.”
The Argentine coach also philosophized when asked what Julián Alvarez has to do to reverse the situation with the fans, the club, his teammates, and the coach himself. “Life is full of opportunities and this is an opportunity presented to Julián to adjust situations in his life. We spend all our time learning and a lot of time judging. We all judge, we have to judge less and focus more on learning. This step will give him pure learning,” Simeone said.
After skipping training from Wednesday to Friday last week due to an “indisposition,” Julián Alvarez has trained with more vigor and a better attitude than he showed after returning from vacation on August 10. At that time, the option of leaving for Barcelona was still strong. His serious expression and silences when crossing paths with employees he usually greeted were part of the staging of his disagreement with the club’s decision not to transfer him to Barcelona. Once reality dictated that he must fulfill the contract he has with Atlético until 2030, efforts have been seen from Julián Alvarez with the intensity Simeone demands and also more involved in tactical exercises.
All in all, based on the tests Simeone has conducted during the week, it is normal that, initially, he will sit on the bench. Cholo has shown the intention to repeat the same starting eleven that defeated Sevilla at Sánchez Pizjuán (1-3) last Saturday with Baena playing as a false nine supported by Kang-In Lee.
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Standings
| Standings | PT | PJ | PG | PE | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
11 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
12 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
13 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
14 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Standings | PT | PJ | PG | PE | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
2 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
3 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
4 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
5 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
