Julian Alvarez Returns to Atletico Squad for Villarreal Match

Diego Simeone is bringing Julian Alvarez back into the fold – and he’s drawing a firm line around his striker.

The Atletico Madrid coach confirmed on Saturday that the Argentina international will return to the matchday squad for Sunday’s La Liga clash with Villarreal, after missing the opening win over Malaga.

"Yes, he's going to be included in the squad list tomorrow and he's doing better," Simeone told reporters. Alvarez has been working his way back to fitness following his post-World Cup holiday and was not involved in Wednesday’s victory.

The football, though, is only half the story.

Alvarez pushed to leave Atletico in the summer, with Barcelona and Real Madrid both submitting bids. The club refused to sell. The fallout has been sharp. Sections of the Atletico support turned on him during the Malaga game, directing insulting chants at a player they once celebrated.

The tension is real, and Simeone knows it. He has already said the fans must be respected, but he made his own position crystal clear again.

"Obviously I don't share in any insults or slights. Let that be absolutely clear," he said. "Julian is a hugely important player for achieving the goals we have as a team. We need him, we're going to look after him.

"That's from a sporting standpoint, and we're going to stand by him. Why? Because he's our player, and as long as there are players at Atletico Madrid who are mine, I'm going to look after them."

So Alvarez returns to the squad facing a hostile reception from parts of his own fanbase, yet with the full public backing of his coach. Simeone, as ever, is closing ranks.

On the other side of the transfer tug-of-war, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick refused to fan the flames. Asked repeatedly on Saturday whether the Spanish champions had ended their pursuit of Alvarez, he stuck to a familiar line: he would not speak about players from other clubs.

The noise around Alvarez will not fade quickly. But on Sunday, in front of an unforgiving crowd and against Villarreal, he at least steps back onto the stage.