Between the loud rejection of Julián Alvarez and a patchy match in which Iñigo Pérez’s Villarreal seemed to have a clearer plan to cause damage in attack, Atlético managed to scrape a 2-2 draw. Two innocent penalties, one by Hjulmand for going in recklessly and a blatant push by Le Normand on Mikautadze as he was about to finish off Oblak, overturned Pubill’s great goal, who besides his versatility to play as a center-back or full-back showed a surprising cannon in his weaker leg, the left. Le Normand’s recklessness cost him a red card. With ten men, a brilliance from Baena in a through pass to Giuliano rescued a point for Atlético, who had to live with the conflict of Julián Alvarez in raw flesh.
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Simeone had to tread carefully with the different situations his criticized compatriot experienced. He heard the first big boo when he appeared at the tunnel entrance. The noise was deafening when his name was announced over the loudspeaker. Since the matter is pure nitroglycerin, Simeone did not order him to warm up in the first batch of substitutes shortly after the second half started. He left him seated on the bench alongside Musso and Giménez. However, when he sensed that Villarreal was dominating the match after the restart and threatening to score, Julián Alvarez had to endure the third big boo. Pubill’s great goal caused Simeone to protect him and order him to put on the bib when he was ready alongside Llorente and Barrios to enter the field. The 1-1 draw, with Gerard Moreno’s calm penalty execution that beat Oblak, was decisive for Julián Alvarez to come on. Again, the reproaches to the Argentine were thunderous. Every minute is an opportunity for the Argentine forward to reconcile. With a serious face, he showed moments of quality like a backheel and a good change of play. He ended his bitter afternoon by not joining his teammates to applaud the fans at the end of the match. The gesture confirmed he felt forced to be included in the squad.
The club wanted it that way, and Julián Alvarez mixed his lack of desire with not being hypocritical. It probably did not feel comfortable after how he handled his attempt to flee to Barcelona and how he was received when applauding a crowd that turned its back on him. A scarf fell at his feet as he entered the dressing room with his head down.
THE IMAGE OF JULIÁN AFTER THE MATCH📸
The Argentine went to the locker room while his teammates applauded the fans at the Metropolitano🏟️#LALIGAenDAZN⚽ pic.twitter.com/gStcffCWHoRead more Feijóo delves into the «public health crisis» in Ceuta
— DAZN España (@DAZN_ES) August 23, 2026
Atlético has a problem that affects them fully at the start of this season. Simeone does not have Sorloth, injured, and his best forward is at odds with the club. Cholo does not have dynamite up front, having tried Lookman as a striker again. Like against Málaga, the Nigerian floundered. Either Julián Alvarez starts and Sorloth supports him when he recovers, or Atlético will struggle due to lack of decisive finishing.
The best impression Villarreal showed was not only reflected in their fluidity to build transitions with few touches. Where Atlético had Lookman and Kang-in Lee, Villarreal played with Mikautadze and Ayoze. Two savvy forwards who do not take a step or make a pass without intention. Oblak saved a hard shot from the first. The Slovenian kept Atlético afloat with another good save in a one-on-one against the Canarian just before halftime. The rojiblancos went into the break with barely a long-range shot from Grimaldo as their only sign of danger.
Simeone left Mendoza on the bench, who has as much talent as moments of futsal-style ball-holding that slow down the pace his coach wants. Oblak again kept Atlético afloat with another spectacular save to Pepe’s powerful shot. Then came Pubill’s curling thunderbolt and the two penalties due to overexcitement from Hjulmand and Le Normand. Like Gerard Moreno, Mikautadze also stopped Oblak. With ten men, Atlético showed the grit and genius of Baena to assist Giuliano, who beat Luiz Júnior with a cross shot. The goal left the final draw and seemed to please the rojiblanco fans before whom Julián Alvarez preferred not to show his face.
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| Position | PT | PJ | PG | PE | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
2 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Position | PT | PJ | PG | PE | PP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
7 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
8 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 9 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
