Atletico Madrid can grow again and here’s why

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Over the previous 30-odd years, numerous proficient attacking gamers have worn the crimson and white stripes of Atletico de Madrid.

Christian Vieri. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. Diego Forlan. Sergio Aguero. Radamel Falcao. Diego Costa. Antoine Griezmann. Luis Suarez. Regardless of a status as a gritty, defensive aspect, Atletico Madrid – significantly throughout its golden period below Diego Simeone – has normally been capable of subject high-level forwards. Griezmann has twice discovered himself on the Ballon d’Or podium as an Atletico participant; Costa and Suarez each gained La Liga whereas taking part in for the membership.

Nonetheless, Cholo Simeone has by no means had a ahead fairly like Julian Alvarez.

Aura.pic.twitter.com/T6plMfpeEF

– Joaconel. (@Joaconel) September 27, 2025

Alvarez’s Ballon d’Or nomination snub was at all times ridiculous, however over the previous week, the beast from Calchin has made France Soccer and Golden Ball voters look positively amateurish. After dragging Atletico to a victory over Rayo Vallecano along with his first hat trick in European soccer, Alvarez on Saturday delivered a signature show towards Actual Madrid, as Atleti gained the derby in historic trend.

In all, Alvarez simply produced a five-goal week that would have revived Atletico’s flagging, injury-plagued season. His six objectives in La Liga are second solely to Kylian Mbappe, whose Actual Madrid aspect stays six factors away from Atleti however – maybe crucially – is not going to have the head-to-head tiebreaker, barring a sensational consequence for Los Blancos when these groups meet once more in March.

For the primary time in 75 years, Atletico hung 5 objectives on Actual Madrid, returning to the fringes of La Liga’s title dialog with a thumping 5-2 win on the Metropolitano. Alvarez was central to the beatdown. Within the first half, he created three possibilities and bent a long-range shot off the submit, shortly earlier than shock starter Alexander Sorloth equalised with a close-range header.

However the second half is what has everybody speaking within the hours and days since this 177th league derby completed.

Mere minutes into the second half, within the second part of an Atletico nook, Arda Guler’s excessive boot made contact with the brow of Nico Gonzalez; the Argentine gained a penalty. And there was Alvarez, six months after his profitable spot kick in a Champions League spherical of 16 penalty shootout was disallowed for an alleged “double contact”, stepping as much as energy one other penalty out of Thibaut Courtois’ lengthy attain, restoring Atletico’s lead.

Lower than quarter-hour later, Alvarez gained a free kick from about 25 yards out after Actual Madrid substitute Franco Mastantuono tugged him down by his jersey. After a momentary debate with Nico Gonzalez, Alvarez stepped up and bent the ball previous Courtois at his close to submit, the ex-Atleti keeper getting a hand to it, however failing to maintain it out.

“Nico informed me he was going to shoot, and on the final minute he stated ‘you’re taking it, Julian,’” Alvarez informed DAZN after the sport. “Thank goodness we made that call.”

Julián Álvarez’s Freekick from admin’s view 🤩 pic.twitter.com/vsupwniy2s

— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) September 29, 2025

Marca cheekily stated that this time Alvarez did certainly take two touches – they usually had been each world-class. The objective from the free kick introduced Simeone to tears – for the second time in per week, the coach known as Alvarez his greatest participant, and impressed upon everybody on the membership the necessity to “take care” of him and guarantee he stays at Atletico for years to come back.

“He has to assist us, and we’ve to assist him, in order that he may be even higher than he already is,” Simeone stated.

Merely, Alvarez is probably the most full ahead Atletico have had within the Simeone period. I imply this. It’s borne out first within the distance he covers, with the ball and with out it. He runs continuous; he’s the chief of Atleti’s new high-pressing system that ranks fourth in La Liga in excessive turnovers compelled.

The flexibility to begin and end his personal strikes is the power on which Simeone’s new system relies. We noticed at Manchester Metropolis how Alvarez flourished creatively, as Pep Guardiola performed him in an attacking midfield function behind Erling Haaland. At Atletico, Alvarez is increasing upon the goalscoring contact that made him stand out as a River Plate prospect, scoring a heap of poacher’s objectives and outrageous low-percentage possibilities alike; three of his six objectives this season have come from exterior the penalty space.

“Julian Alvarez is loopy, he’s insane,” Nico Gonzalez informed Argentine outlet DSports. “He’s so calm, however as soon as he’s in there on the pitch, that son of a b*tch transforms. He’s one thing unimaginable.”

He has remodeled into one of many planet’s most full gamers, not simply amongst forwards. He had accomplished soccer, profitable each home and worldwide trophy on supply, earlier than turning 24 years outdated. And who is aware of – judging by his efficiency towards Actual Madrid, Alvarez might rework Atletico into one thing a lot higher too.

“I wished an area that gave me a greater place to develop, to attempt to discover my greatest model,” Alvarez informed Argentine rugby star Agustin Creevy earlier than the derby. “Now I wish to proceed at this membership and win titles right here.”