Madrid’s derby weekend is approaching with Atlético still waiting on the right quadricipital signal from Julián Alvarez. The Argentine forward has missed the last two matches, against Real Sociedad and Osasuna, after suffering a muscular overload in the final tactical workout before last Sunday’s trip to Anoeta. With Real Madrid due at the Metropolitano on Sunday, he remains the principal uncertainty in Diego Simeone’s squad.
Alvarez had been placed in the likely starting side during Saturday’s preparation for the Real Sociedad match when he felt discomfort in his quadriceps and left the session. Medical checks confirmed an overload, ruling him out first at Anoeta and then against Osasuna. He has not yet returned to full group training since the problem emerged.
Atlético resume work at 11.00 on Friday following Thursday’s rest day, with only Friday’s session and Saturday’s final preparation remaining before the derby. Those two days will determine whether Alvarez can be involved from the opening whistle, take a place on the bench, or sit out again.
Mateu Alemany, Atlético’s director of men’s professional football, said the decision would rest largely on “the quad and how he feels”. He added that the forward has been working extensively on his recovery, is especially eager to play in the derby and will do everything possible to make himself available.
A changing forward line at the Metropolitano
If Alvarez is fit enough, his importance to the side makes a starting role a realistic prospect. He completed Atlético’s Champions League opening defeat at Liverpool last week, a 2-1 loss at Anfield, and Simeone could again turn to him for the club’s biggest domestic fixture of the early season.
Jonathan David is the alternative, either in Alvarez’s place or alongside him. The forward has made a swift case for more prominence, scoring in each of his two appearances: once against Real Sociedad and again against Osasuna, where he also supplied an assist.
Alvarez, meanwhile, is still awaiting his first goal of the campaign. His opening weeks have been disrupted by a summer in which a hoped-for move to Barcelona did not materialise, followed by his late arrival for pre-season on 10 August after the 2026 World Cup final. An illness before the Sevilla away match and the latest muscle complaint have further limited him to three appearances in Atlético’s seven competitive fixtures.
He came on in the 66th minute against Villarreal on 23 August, amid whistles from sections of Atlético’s support after his wish to join Barcelona became public. He entered in the 59th minute with Atlético 2-0 down against Athletic Club on 5 September, before playing the full match at Liverpool last Wednesday. Should he return on Sunday, it would be his first Metropolitano appearance since the Villarreal match.
Alexander Sorloth will not be ready to join him. The Norwegian striker has been out for around six weeks with a muscle injury and has missed every one of Atlético’s seven official matches, with the Real Madrid meeting set to extend that absence. Simeone recently stressed that the team lacks another player with Sorloth’s particular attributes, while noting the forward’s desire to return.
Pablo Barrios is also likely to miss the derby. The midfielder was absent against both Real Sociedad and Osasuna after sustaining a low-grade myofascial injury in his right leg during the Liverpool game eight days ago. Apart from Sorloth, Barrios and the unresolved situation surrounding Alvarez, Atlético expect the rest of their players to be available as Simeone begins the short final build-up on Friday.
