Simeone stands by Julián Alvarez as frustration grows at the Metropolitano

Julián Alvarez was at the centre of a night of contrasts at the Metropolitano: Diego Simeone publicly reaffirmed his faith in him as frustration grew in the stands. The Argentine forward was under particular scrutiny against Barcelona. The meeting between Atlético de Madrid and the Catalan side brought him back into the spotlight after the summer’s upheaval over his future.

The chances he missed gave that scrutiny an added edge. As exasperation spread around the Metropolitano, Simeone and his players urged the crowd to applaud Alvarez. The coach did not substitute him and defended his contribution in attack. “He played an important match, was involved in three chances, as well as the assist for Giuliano,” he said. He also pointed to an attempted finish over the goalkeeper and a cross for Baena, before stressing that the team would need the forward to reach its objectives.

Simeone had already explained his confidence before the match. He called Alvarez “an extraordinary player”, adding that the club loved him and needed him. In the coach’s view, the Argentine had been involved in three or four of the team’s five good scoring opportunities. He had lacked the goal that would have lifted his performance to another level, but Simeone believed it would come. After the match, Alvarez himself was frustrated by the chances he had failed to take.

The tension around the forward was not confined to his performance on the night. His future had already been debated over the summer. Alvarez had said then that he could not hide what he thought and that, after speaking to the people concerned, “the best thing for everyone is a transfer”. A chant in the stands had also called for him to leave. That history helps explain why his return to the spotlight against Barcelona involved more than his finishing alone.

After the match, Alvarez apologised for his words at the World Cup: “I would like to apologise to our supporters for my words.” He said he understood their anger and recalled the support they had given him. The remarks directly addressed the distrust voiced by some in the crowd, without removing the sporting expectation: Simeone emphasised the need to see the best of Alvarez. That was the contrast of the evening, between the patience urged by the coach and a reconciliation the forward will have to build on the pitch.