Atlético Grow Concerned Over Julián Álvarez’s Form
Inside the dressing room there is full backing, but outside the doubts are starting to make noise. The Argentine’s current form has not gone unnoticed.
A Match Marked to Change the Narrative
All eyes were on Julián Álvarez ahead of the derby between Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid, played as the Spanish Super Cup semifinal in Saudi Arabia. With just two goals in his last ten appearances, the stage seemed set for the Argentine to rediscover his spark on a big night.
From the bench and inside the locker room, the message was clear. Diego Simeone publicly backed his striker before kickoff, insisting that Julián shows his quality through actions, not words. Koke echoed that view, reminding everyone that special players are always held to higher standards.
Internal Backing Didn’t Change the Outcome
Hours before kickoff in Jeddah, even club president Enrique Cerezo sought to calm the outside noise, pointing out that all players go through ups and downs and expressing full confidence that Julián would return to his best level.
But the match did not deliver the expected turning point. Julián once again looked subdued in the final third. No one questions his effort, commitment, or defensive work rate, but with the ball his influence was limited. He failed to make an impact with his finishing, struggled to drive at defenders, and found it difficult to be decisive when the team needed him most.
The Debate Grows Outside the Locker Room
The consequence is unavoidable: the debate is growing, especially beyond the Metropolitano. Inside the squad there are no cracks and trust remains intact, but it is clear that the Argentine is not at his best and that his attacking influence is falling short of what is expected from a player of his stature.
That external noise is also fueled by rumors that surfaced earlier in the season, particularly reported interest from FC Barcelona — a storyline that never fully disappeared. Only Julián himself can truly put an end to it, with performances on the pitch.
The Club Closes Ranks and Calls for Patience
After the match, Atlético’s director of professional football, Mateu Alemany, reinforced the message of support, praising the forward’s involvement and reminding everyone of a familiar football truth: strikers go through spells.
At Atlético, the belief is that now is the time to rally around him — especially after he recently became a father and continues to show an exemplary attitude in every match. With 11 goals, Julián Álvarez remains the team’s top scorer this season. The quality is there. The big question is when it will return with the consistency everyone is waiting for.
