For Atletico Madrid it has actually been a repeating and agonizing story whenever they have actually encountered city opponents Real Madrid in Europe, yet they authorized Julian Alvarez to attempt and destroy the manuscript.
The Argentina worldwide has actually ended up being Atletico’s essential striking danger after showing up from Manchester City last summer season and will certainly lead the line for them on Tuesday at the Santiago Bernabeu in the Champions League last 16.
Atletico have actually gotten to 3 Champions League finals and shed whenever, consisting of versus Real Madrid in 2014 and 2016.
Those agonising beats, the very first in extra-time and the 2nd on fines, were intensified by Los Blancos wins in the 2015 quarter-finals and 2017 semi-finals.
The just various other event they have actually satisfied in the competitors remained in 1959, when after an accumulated semi-final draw the connection mosted likely to a play-off.
Real Madrid arised victorious and took place to raise a 4th successive European Cup.
Their prominence in the competitors has actually held up until today, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side document 15-time victors and the existing owners.
Diego Simeone’s group were ousted by Borussia Dortmund in in 2014’s quarter-finals, among the nadirs of an unpleasant project.
They reacted in the summer season by finalizing Alvarez for 85 million euros ($ 88 million), really hoping the 25-year-old ahead would certainly come to be the foundation of their side.
“He has everything a player needs to play for Atletico Madrid, and for many years to come,” claimed Simeone after Alvarez struck two times to aid them defeat German champs Bayer Leverkusen in the team stage.
Alvarez has 9 objectives in his last 13 suits throughout all competitors, and 21 strikes in 40 video games in overall.
– ‘Different quality’ –
The demonstrator maintained his nerve to net a cold Panenka charge versus Real Madrid in a 1-1 La Liga derby attract February at the Bernabeu.
Alvarez has actually rapidly developed a bond on the pitch with Atletico amulet Antoine Griezmann, significance Alexander Sorloth and Angel Correa usually need to be material with a put on the bench.
Although Alvarez and Griezmann routinely begin, Simeone has actually made clear of taking into consideration Atletico’s team deepness their biggest property this period.
Alvarez came off the bench to send out Atletico top of La Liga on Saturday with the only objective in a 1-0 triumph versus Athletic Bilbao, although Barcelona returned free from the Rojiblancos on Sunday by a factor.
“When we learned that it was confirmed, his arrival, it made us very happy, very happy indeed,” claimed Simeone at the weekend break.
“(That’s) because a different calibre player was coming, like in his day, Luis Suarez.
“They are unique gamers, they have an ability, they have something others do not, like when (David) Villa came, gamers that can make the distinction.”
Alvarez is well-rounded, a sharp finisher with great mobility, ability to link the play and high work-rate.
“Every step he obtains associated with, he enhances,” said impressed Athletic striker Inaki Williams.
Simeone requires great intensity from his players, with those who don’t sweat for the club badge not lasting long at Atletico.
Despite arriving as a World Cup winner with Argentina and a Champions League and double Premier League winner with Man City, Alvarez has shown no airs and graces.
His dedication to what Simeone demands of him makes him already seems a better fit than the one more expensive player in the club’s history — Joao Felix.
The Portuguese striker flopped at the Metropolitano and was sold to Chelsea last summer.
“(Alvarez) is a man that won every little thing and he’s the one that runs one of the most, you take a look at him and appreciate him,” said Atletico defender Jose Gimenez.
“He is an instance for everybody, from the youngest to the earliest.”
The forward has a point of his own to prove too, after Pep Guardiola left him on the bench during City’s 2023 Champions League final win over Inter Milan.
” I really did not reach play in the Champions League last, I really did not play a lot in the semi-finals,” Alvarez told Argentine news site Infobae.
“Something inside me informed me that I required a various difficulty, to search for something brand-new.”
Alvarez has actually discovered that with Atletico and intends to provide the Rojiblancos a brand-new experience versus Real Madrid in Europe also.
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