Sofia Quijada
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Diego Simeone pushed Julian Alvarez to find his scoring touch ahead of Atletico Madrid‘s Champions League meeting with Manchester United on Tuesday. The Argentine striker remains without a league phase goal this season, and his coach wants that to change soon.
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United travel to the Spanish capital hoping to build on their opening day rout of Sabah. Atletico arrive off the back of a defeat to Liverpool in their first league phase outing, needing a response in front of their own fans.
Alvarez forced a move away from Atletico over the summer, pushing for a transfer to Barcelona that never materialized. He stayed at the club but has struggled to find rhythm, failing to score in five matches since returning. The former Manchester City forward did find the net for Argentina during the international break, netting in a friendly against Burkina Faso, but that form has not carried over to his club form.
Simeone defended his striker on Monday, pointing to qualities beyond finishing.
“I think strikers with Julian’s characteristics always need goals, not just him,” Simeone told reporters. “It’s true that beyond his finishing, he’s a team player, a player that can link very well, he can assist, and he’s got many more tools than just goalscoring.”
Alvarez came close to breaking his drought on Saturday, striking the post as a substitute in Atletico’s win over Alaves, a result that moved the club into second place in La Liga.
“He had a good second half in Saturday’s game and we hope that he can keep growing and arriving to the place where we all want to see him,” Simeone said.
Atletico’s Form Against a Struggling United
Atletico have won their last four games across competitions, a run that contrasts sharply with United’s current stretch. Michael Carrick’s side have gone four matches without a win since the Sabah victory, a slump that has left them facing their worst start to a Premier League campaign in 40 years.
That gap in form puts pressure on United heading into the Metropolitano, a stadium that carries extra significance this season.
No Distractions Over the Final
The Metropolitano will host the Champions League final in June, but Simeone refused to let that shape his focus for Tuesday’s match.
“Reality is the day-to-day, game by game,” said the coach.
Simeone kept his comments grounded in the immediate task, stressing the physical demands of facing a team still fighting to find consistency.
“The game will be long, it will be tough, and we have to manage our efforts to compete well,” insisted Simeone.
Atletico will look to extend their winning run and push Alvarez toward his first goal of the campaign, while United search for a response that could steady their season. Follow TipsGG for full coverage of the clash and continued Champions League analysis.