Simeone confirms Malaga omission
Diego Simeone faced the media at lunchtime and did not dodge the issue. Julian Alvarez will not play in La Liga round two on Wednesday night against Malaga.
The reason, he said, was simple. “From a sporting point of view, we need more training sessions with him so he can reach his best level,” the Argentine coach explained, before adding more bluntly: “We understand he is not in a condition to play this match.”
On the bigger picture, nothing has changed. “I still think the same way. I deal with the sporting side,” Simeone said, before pointing back to the club owner’s public comments. “It’s like when you go to court, there is nothing else to say.”
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The Griezmann and Diego Costa precedent
The coach himself brought up the two names that matter in this kind of stand-off. “I show great respect in every situation we have faced. Griezmann, Diego Costa, and now Julian.”
The reference is no accident. Atletico have already been through summers when a key forward wanted out, and the club has sometimes held firm, sometimes backed down, depending on the balance of power at the time. Simeone has lived through both outcomes on his bench. He knows exactly what it costs when a player trains with his head elsewhere.
Barcelona, for their part, have not given up. The Argentine remains their target up front, and Atletico have not moved an inch so far.
What the absence means for Wednesday
On the pitch, the loss is a real one. Alvarez is the player Simeone himself describes as “one of the best players, maybe the best.” Leaving him out as early as the second round says plenty about where this situation stands.
Malaga travel to the Metropolitano on Wednesday at 21:00. Atletico begin their season without their leading striker, and with no clear idea how long this will drag on.
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