Diego Simeone has said Julián Álvarez is ready to take on Barcelona in this weekend’s top-of-the-table clash in LaLiga (watch live on ESPN+ at 3 p.m. ET) after failing to secure a move to the Spanish champions in the summer.
Álvarez, 26, told ESPN in June that he wanted to leave Atlético Madrid, with sources confirming his preference was to join Barça.
However, Atlético refused to transfer Álvarez to their title rivals, ignoring a €100 million ($111.5m) offer, and the Argentina forward ended up staying at the Metropolitano.
He will face Barça for the first time since the saga drew to a close on Sunday when LaLiga’s top two, who are separated by just two points, meet in Madrid.
“He’s doing very good,” was Atlético coach Simeone’s limited response in a news conference Saturday when asked if Álvarez was prepared to face Barça.
Álvarez was jeered by Atlético fans earlier in the season for trying to engineer a move away, but he has since apologised for his actions.
The summer’s events also meant he featured infrequently at the start of the campaign, but he has now started Atlético’s last four matches, scoring twice.
Barça coach Hansi Flick was keen to add Álvarez to his attack following the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres and remains a fan of the former Manchester City striker.
“For me, Julián Álvarez is a fantastic player, but he is playing for Atlético,” Flick said in a news conference. “I have to focus on my team.”
One attacker Barça did sign in the summer was Anthony Gordon, who has become a fixed part of the team’s attacking trio alongside Raphinha and Lamine Yamal.
Speaking earlier this week, Gordon, who has scored three goals and provided four assists this season, said Barça supporters have not seen the best of him yet and promised to become more selfish.
Flick has been happy with the England international’s start to life in Spain but agreed with his assessment.
“For me, he gives us a lot with the ball,” he said. “He keeps the ball. When we are in ball possession, he makes no easy mistakes.
“But in the final third, I think also he could be more selfish, 1 vs. 1 situations, also like that.
“The last games are very good. He increased his level, what he gives to the team. I am happy with this.”
– Anthony Gordon left for Barcelona to get ‘respect’ — he’s got it now
– Raphinha signs new Barcelona contract to 2030
– Barça’s Rodri (hamstring) out of Atlético clash
Flick confirmed defenders Eric García and Andreas Christensen will both return to the squad for the Atlético game, with a decision to be made on whether García or youngster Brian Fariñas start at right-back.
Elsewhere, either Frenkie de Jong or Marc Bernal will come in for Rodri, who has been ruled out of the match with a hamstring problem.
For Atlético, United States midfielder Johnny Cardoso is available again, but Cuti Romero remains sidelined with an injury.
Barça go into the fixture with 30 points from their 11 games this season, but Atlético, who have 28 points, could jump ahead of them at the top of the table heading into the international break with a victory.
Both league meetings between the teams were won by eventual champions Barça last season, but Atlético knocked Flick’s side out of both the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.
