Giménez praises Julián Alvarez’s commitment ahead of Atlético reunion

“Julián is committed… in Stuttgart he covered kilometres with his little legs,” Giménez said of Julián Alvarez. The Deportivo defender praised the Atlético de Madrid forward’s effort, describing him as motivated and eager to rediscover his best form.

The two spoke before the match in Stuttgart. Giménez said he had talked with Juan Musso, who was with Julián Alvarez, and asked him for a parking space at the stadium. He added that he eventually managed to get tickets in the second or third tier. The conversation also gave him the chance to speak with Alvarez.

Giménez said the forward had come through a difficult period and was working to turn things around. He described him as humble, willing to sacrifice for the team and focused on his work. Recalling the Stuttgart match, Giménez highlighted Alvarez’s effort but did not give a specific distance covered.

The defender also recalled that Julián Alvarez wanted to join the azulgrana club, but Atlético did not let him leave. Alvarez is now fully focused on finding his best form in rojiblanco, Giménez said.

The comments come ahead of Giménez’s reunion with Atlético de Madrid in Saturday’s match at the Metropolitano, where the defender is set to see former friends. He spent 13 years at the club, played 384 matches, scored 14 goals and provided 13 assists. His honours with the team include two league titles, a European Super Cup, a Europa League and a Spanish Super Cup. A tribute from the supporters is expected on Saturday.

Giménez also discussed his departure, describing it as a decision made to help the club that had given him so much. “I needed to help the club that had given me so much,” he said. He recalled spending 13 years at Atlético, where he arrived as a child, and described the change as strange but appealing because it meant discovering something completely new.

Speaking about his next opponent, he said Yeremay was the Deportivo player who had caught his eye most. He praised his distinctive, less-robotic style and said players promoted to Primera this year had extra motivation. Giménez added that he would not be able to celebrate a goal against Atlético, even if he hopes to score.