Madrid’s derby weekend has brought Julián Álvarez back into Atlético Madrid’s plans, with Diego Simeone confirming that the Argentine forward has recovered from the muscular problem that kept him out of the last two league matches.
Álvarez missed LaLiga fixtures against Real Sociedad and Osasuna after suffering a muscle contracture, but his progress has been sufficient for Atlético’s staff to include him in the squad for Sunday’s seventh-round meeting with Real Madrid at the Metropolitano.
Simeone said the forward would be involved, although his final role remains undecided. “He will be with us, then we will decide whether he starts or comes on in the second half,” the Atlético coach explained.
The match also offers Álvarez a return before the Metropolitano crowd after weeks in which uncertainty around his transfer situation had created tension around his place at the club. Now fit again, he gives Simeone another attacking option for one of the capital’s defining occasions.
Containing Madrid’s speed
For Atlético, the wider challenge is stopping a Real Madrid side Simeone believes can be especially destructive immediately after winning possession. He highlighted the visitors’ directness in transition and the threat carried by Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Junior when space opens up.
“Their transition may be even better than ours, more vertical,” Simeone said. “When they recover the ball, Mbappé is the first option and Vinicius is the second. They are clearly very powerful and strong players.”
Simeone also spoke warmly of José Mourinho, the coach whose career he has long followed with admiration. The Atlético manager said he has great respect for Mourinho and hopes his side can compete as they have done in their previous encounters with the Portuguese coach.
