aAmidst the highlights of Atlético’s progress to the last 16 of the Champions League, there was a small shadow. Julian Alvarez failed to shine against Club Brugge and once again failed to find the back of the net. The Argentine has scored five goals and provided two assists in this season’s Champions League, but is still not at his best. Nevertheless, both his fans and Simeone were keen to remind him that they had faith in him.
Simeone chose Jullien to partner Sorloth in his starting eleven, and the Metropolitano bid farewell to the Argentine with thunderous applause as he returned to the bench. With the score at 2-1, Simeone decided to replace his compatriot with Griezmann. In the 58th minute, Julian did not have a great game, but the warmth of the fans naturally led to applause, and Atlético’s number 19 timidly responded to the applause, knowing that he could not shine against Belgium. Despite not being particularly successful, Julian never stopped trying. Things were not going well for him, but after the Norwegian’s first goal he was the first of the players in red and white to contact Sorloth. The Argentine hugged the Norwegian after the goal that paved the way for victory.
Like the fans, Simeone wanted to show his confidence in Julien at the press conference. The Argentine coach compared the situation in La Araña to the one Griezmann experienced last season, when he could not find a way to goal. “Last season we had the same problem with Griezmann. I brought him in, I brought him in and he didn’t react. Those are decisions and I expect that and I believe in this type of player. Today, both Griezmann and Julian…” the manager reinforced his support for the 19-year-old.
The same thing happened to Griezmann last season. I let him in and out and he couldn’t react. Those are decisions and I assume that and I believe in this type of football player. Griezmann and Julian today…
Metropolitano had experienced a party-like atmosphere against the Belgian side and did not want to miss the opportunity to show support to Julien. Despite leaving the field without a result, the stadium applauded La Anya. The Argentine striker should be key to Atlético being able to compete for the Copa del Rey and Champions League titles at the end of this season, and the fans know that.
Applause and chant for Choro
During the team’s presentation, it was once again Diego Pablo Simeone who received the most praise. The Argentine coach received cheers from the fans before the start of the match. During the match, he was seen calling on the crowd to cheer, becoming a key player during the match. As all the Red and White players celebrated on the pitch after the draw with Brugge, Cholo didn’t want to miss out on the moment of happiness. It was then that the red and white fans shouted in unison: “Ole, ole, ole, Cholo Simeone.” The party is complete. Metropolitano showed his warmth to Julian and to Cholo.
