Julian Alvarez has rejoined Atletico Madrid’s squad for Saturday’s LaLiga clash against Athletic Club at San Mames, though head coach Diego Simeone has decided not to start him, choosing instead to utilize the Argentine forward as a substitute.
The forward missed the previous fixture against Sevilla due to an illness that sidelined him from training, and Simeone emphasized this week that rushing him back into the starting XI would be unwise, even though Alvarez has now recovered sufficiently to participate fully in team activities.
“He’s training very well. Tomorrow he’ll be called up, he’ll be part of the group traveling to play in Bilbao, and we expect the best from him,” Simeone stated, confirming Alvarez’s inclusion in the travel squad while leaving his role in the starting eleven undecided.
These remarks indicate that Atletico’s coaching staff intends to manage Alvarez’s return cautiously, avoiding an immediate jump into a challenging away match against an Athletic team known for their strong home performances at San Mames.
Alvarez’s Difficult Summer
Alvarez’s circumstances have been compounded by a turbulent summer transfer window. The forward actively sought a move to Barcelona during the transfer period, a deal that ultimately fell through, and he also rejected interest from Arsenal, leaving him to remain with Simeone at Madrid for the foreseeable future.
His attempts to secure a transfer strained his relationship with the club’s supporters, who voiced their dissatisfaction during his final home games before the window closed. This tension has added complexity to his reintegration process, making his return to form and favor a delicate task.
Now that the transfer window is closed and his future is settled for the time being, Atletico’s coaching staff is focused on gradually restoring Alvarez to full sharpness, with the hope that his potential impact off the bench against Athletic could represent the first step in rebuilding his confidence and earning back a regular starting position in the coming weeks.
