Atletico Madrid’s Coach Addresses Julian Alvarez’s Substitution Concerns

Atletico Madrid’s manager, Diego Simeone, remains optimistic regarding Julian Alvarez following his substitution in the recent match against Real Mallorca, which ended in a draw.

Alvarez’s Return and Substitution

After being sidelined for two matches due to injury, Alvarez made his comeback by starting against Mallorca. However, he was taken off in the 61st minute, visibly unhappy, after failing to convert a crucial opportunity—a penalty kick that was saved by goalkeeper Leo Román.

Post-Match Reactions

• Frustration on the Bench: Cameras from DAZN captured Alvarez expressing his disappointment while sitting on the bench, muttering, “Always me,” which likely indicated his frustration with being substituted again after participating in only one full match in the last five games.

• Sorloth’s Brief Impact: Alexander Sorloth replaced him but faced a setback as he received a red card just minutes after coming on.

Simeone’s Perspective

“Alvarez is our most effective player in attack and is very secure with the ball at his feet,” Simeone noted after the match ended 1-1. “He was performing well, but I believed it was necessary to introduce Sorloth to enhance our presence in the penalty area.”

He added, “Unfortunately, getting reduced to ten players impacted us greatly, and it’s only natural for him to feel upset about leaving the field.”