Diego Simeone addresses the insults directed at Julian Alvarez: “I have great respect for our fans.”
The divorce between Julian Alvarez and Atlético Madrid supporters seems final. The 26-year-old Argentinian player, still adored last season, is now experiencing the same bitter disappointment Antoine Griezmann suffered upon his return to Atlético in the 2021 after leaving for FC Barcelona club two years earlier. Except that Alvarez still hasn’t gone to Barça, despite his desire to transfer there since the beginning of the season, a desire he publicly expressed during the World Cup competition.
Engaged in a psychological and media fight with his team management, who have refused to let him leave, the Atletico de Madrid striker received a hostile reception from Atlético fans on Sunday. These same supporters had plastered the club’s training ground with signs reading “Julian out” and his number 19 crossed out in a “no entry” sign.
Already insulted him at halftime of Atlético-Malaga (2-0) on Wednesday match, despite not being in the starting squad, Alvarez was called a “son of a bitch!“ by the Madrid fans during the first water break and again when he went to warm up (53rd minute). Upon entering the game in (67th minute) and when his name was announced before the match, he was met with a terrible chorus of boos. On the bench, staring blankly ahead, the Argentinian player appeared dejected. This reflected his lackluster performance, a far cry from his usual dynamism, pressing, and runs (only 12 touches) during the game.
Given their lackluster attacking output on Sunday game, Atlético desperately needed their striker in the team. Neither that, nor Giuliano Simeone’s late equalizer goal (85th minute, 2-2), prevented the Metropolitano crowd from booing Alvarez loudly once again when he headed straight to the dressing room while all his teammates were acknowledging the supporters. “It wasn’t his decision (to stay) but the club’s,” explained Diego Simeone. ” But if we want to win the titles, we need to be united and have quality strikers. We have him, and we have to take care of him since he jointed us.” This wasn’t exactly the case on Sunday, and the conflict between Alvarez and Atlético is likely to continue until the end of the transfer window.
