Atletico President Cerezo: Alvarez Has Been Affected, but the Matter Is Behind Us

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo said the Alvarez situation has ended internally at the club, but the player is still affected by recent events.

Julian Alvarez publicly requested a move to Barcelona during the previous summer transfer window, but Atletico Madrid rejected Barcelona's offer and insisted on keeping the forward. Alvarez's contract runs until 2030.

Speaking in an interview a few hours before Liverpool and Atletico Madrid's Champions League match, Cerezo said: “I think Alvarez is in good condition, but the fact is that after experiencing these recent events he has been greatly affected, and that is something that worries people.”

He added: “I think his recovery is progressing well. When the coach feels the time is right, he will return to action. Julian's matter is already behind us.”

Since the start of the season, Alvarez has not started a match for Atletico Madrid. He has only made substitute appearances against Villarreal and Athletic Club in La Liga and has still not scored his first goal of the season.

Simeone previously said that he does not consider Alvarez a starting player.

Cerezo made these comments a few hours before Atletico Madrid's first match of the new Champions League format. Atletico Madrid will travel to Anfield to face Liverpool.

The Atletico president said: “We have faced them many times and have always felt good here. We have won, lost, and drawn, but every time we go out with the goal of winning. I hope we can win and make a good start to the Champions League.”

Atletico Madrid have extra motivation in this season's Champions League because the Metropolitano Stadium will host the final.

Cerezo said: “We are very happy and proud to host the final at our own stadium, and this also requires us to do everything possible to win everything so that we can reach that final.”

Cerezo also spoke about Marcos Llorente. The player has previously performed well at Anfield on multiple occasions and has scored four goals at Liverpool's home ground.

He said: “I hope so. I think he is in very good form and is going through an excellent period. He has the possibility of doing it, so why not?”

At the end of his remarks, Cerezo discussed the competitive reality in Spanish football and the gap between Real Madrid, Barcelona, and other teams. He said: “The gap with the strong teams has always existed, but what we want to do is fight for victory in every match.”