Amid the uncertainty about his future at Atlético Madrid, Diego Simeone put a stop to the rumors surrounding Julián Álvarez. In the lead-up to the debut against Málaga in the first round of La Liga, the coach backed the management's stance, ruled out the forward for the debut, and assured that the club maintains a clear position regarding Barcelona's interest.
Firstly, the absence of the Spider in the call-up had generated expectations due to the context surrounding the player; however, Simeone explained that the decision also responds to his sporting condition. "We try to take care of the player and wait for him to be in the conditions we understand so that he continues to uphold the name he has and the player he is and what he has given us," he stated.
In this regard, the coach was clear about the Argentine's participation in the debut: "We understand that we do not see this match in those conditions for him to play or participate". With this decision, the former River player could make his debut only in the second round of the championship against Villarreal next Sunday, August 23.
Beyond the physical issue, Álvarez's situation is intertwined with the possibility of a transfer to Barcelona. In this regard, Cholo was clear, aligning himself with the stance expressed by Miguel Ángel Gil Marín, the CEO of Atlético, who stated that the forward is not for sale. "I believe that if the owner of the club speaks so decisively as he did, I think there is no more to say. This is like in trials: no place," Cholo expressed, thus closing the debate surrounding a potential departure of the striker.
