Atlético lost 3-0 at Athletic Club on Saturday, and the man signed to lift them through moments like this spent the first hour of the game watching from the bench. When Diego Simeone finally turned to Julián Álvarez in the 58th minute, the score was already 0-2, with Nico Williams and Robert Navarro striking within a couple of minutes of each other after the interval. Oihan Sancet added a late third.
Álvarez has yet to score in La Liga this season. Atlético’s clearest opening arrived inside three minutes, when Lee Kang-in cut in from the right, beat a defender and struck the far post, the ball rolling along the goal line without crossing it. It was the closest anyone in red and white would come.
Fans have not forgiven the “dream” line
The reception for Álvarez at San Mamés was the continuation of a story that broke open two weeks earlier. On 23 August, in a 2-2 draw at home to Villarreal, Atlético supporters booed him during the warm-up, jeered when his name was read out, and chanted “let him leave once and for all, let him leave” when he came on in the 66th minute.
The anger traces back to the World Cup, when Álvarez said publicly that he had discussed a move with the club to “fulfil my dream”. Barcelona then made him their priority target, and the Catalan club’s interest was still live when the Spanish transfer window closed on 1 September.
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Barcelona’s approach was rebuffed after Atlético let their own internal deadline pass, and Álvarez stayed. Simeone told reporters after the Villarreal match that the club had asked the striker not to go near the stands at full time and said he remained a hugely important player who needed protection.
Simeone’s “opportunity” framing
Before the trip to Bilbao, the Argentine manager was asked whether Álvarez was ready to play. He said he was.
“Julián will be in the squad tomorrow. He is training well, and we expect the best from him,” Simeone told reporters on Friday.
“For me, life is full of opportunities, and Julián now has one. We often spend our lives passing judgment; we should judge less and focus more on learning.”
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A record signing still finding his level
Álvarez joined Atlético from Manchester City in August 2024 on a six-year contract, in a deal worth up to £82m that made him the club’s record signing. Manchester City had bought him from River Plate in January 2022 for £14m.
Atlético sit sixth after four league matches, one draw and one defeat already on the ledger. Their Champions League opener against Liverpool is on Wednesday.
