Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone bristles at doubts over Julián Alvarez amid LaLiga goal drought and growing transfer speculation
Diego Simeone cut a visibly irritated figure in his pre-match press conference ahead of Atlético Madrid’s LaLiga clash with Real Mallorca on Sunday, forcefully shutting down questions over Julián Alvarez’s recent struggles in front of goal.
The Argentine striker enjoyed a blistering start to the campaign, announcing himself emphatically with a brace against Real Madrid in late September that took him to six goals for the league season. His impact in Europe has also been notable, with four goals in the Champions League.
However, Alvarez’s domestic form has slowed considerably since that derby triumph. His last LaLiga goal came in a 3-0 victory over Sevilla on November 1, and he has now gone nine league matches without finding the net. That run has inevitably brought scrutiny, particularly given his profile and the expectations surrounding him.
Simeone was asked what reasons there were to continue believing in Alvarez despite the barren spell – a question that clearly struck a nerve.
“Are you seriously asking me that? Julián believes in himself because of his name, status, and track record,” Simeone responded, bristling at the suggestion that his striker’s confidence should be in doubt.
Simeone stands firm amid Barcelona speculation
Beyond the numbers, Alvarez’s situation has been complicated by persistent transfer rumours. The forward has been linked with high-profile moves to both Barcelona and Arsenal, and his openness to addressing the Barcelona speculation has led some observers to question whether external noise has affected his focus.
Simeone, however, has consistently defended his player in recent weeks, stressing the importance of patience and perspective when judging a striker’s form. Internally, Alvarez is still regarded as a central figure in Atlético’s plans, even as goals have been harder to come by in league competition.
From a broader standpoint, the timing of the debate is far from ideal for Atlético. The club begin the gameweek in fourth place on 41 points, level with third-placed Villarreal, who hold a game in hand and face Real Madrid on Saturday. The margin for error remains slim as the race for Champions League qualification intensifies.
For Simeone, the focus remains firmly on collective performance rather than individual scoring runs. His reaction in the press conference served as a reminder of his unwavering loyalty to players he trusts – and a clear signal that, in his view, Julián Alvarez’s credentials do not require justification.