Julian Alvarez shines at Atletico Madrid - Photo: REUTERS
Many believe that Man City's decline in strength stems from the huge void left by Rodri in midfield – a perfectly valid assessment.
However, few people realize that the absence of a versatile attacking player like Julian Alvarez has quietly eroded the flexibility of the reigning champions' playing style.
After years of tremendous success with Man City, Alvarez chose to leave the Etihad Stadium to seek new challenges.
Despite impressive performances for both Manchester City and the national team, in Pep Guardiola's eyes, he remains merely a backup option for Erling Haaland – who is preferred in a system with only one central striker. This has left Alvarez disappointed, as he desires more regular playing time instead of being a secondary player.
Atletico Madrid understood the Argentine player's aspirations and quickly seized the opportunity. The Spanish club was ready to meet all of Alvarez's demands, as evidenced by their £81.5 million bid to bring him in. Without much hesitation, Alvarez accepted the offer and began a new chapter in his career in La Liga.
Joining the Wanda Metropolitano club in the summer of 2024, Julian Alvarez quickly proved his worth and became a key player in manager Diego Simeone's squad.
With his versatility, speed, and sharp finishing ability, he takes on the role of a main striker, often partnering with another striker or playing as a flexible "false nine".
In his first season, Alvarez adapted very quickly to Diego Simeone's tactical system and immediately became a key player in the attack. "The Spider" contributed a total of 29 goals and 6 assists in 51 matches.
This is Alvarez's most prolific goal-scoring season in his professional career to date, surpassing his record of 26 goals for River Plate in 2021.
This season, Alvarez has shown us his diverse goal-scoring abilities. From sharp finishing and long-range shots to direct free kicks, he's been a real sensation. Most recently, the "Spider-Man" scored a spectacular goal from a free kick 30 meters out, leaving all who witnessed it in awe.
Not only does Alvarez excel at scoring goals, but he is also very active in supporting the defense. He seamlessly transitions between attack and defense with abundant energy, contributing to Simeone's characteristic pressing style of play. Now, Alvarez has become an indispensable link in coach Diego Simeone's tactical system.
The 2024-2025 season can be considered a successful one for Julian Alvarez in the Atletico Madrid shirt. He not only proved his goal-scoring ability but also showed excellent adaptation to his new environment and became an indispensable pillar of the team.
Alvarez's excellent form is a major highlight that helped Atletico Madrid secure a place in next season's Champions League after finishing third in the Spanish La Liga this season.
TUAN LONG
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/alvarez-no-ro-o-atletico-madrid-20250520140056161.htm
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