Atletico Madrid opted to keep Julian Alvarez away from supporters following a stormy 2-2 home draw, with manager Diego Simeone confirming the decision was made by the club rather than the player himself.
Alvarez endured a hostile reception throughout the match, with jeers ringing out from the home crowd both before kick-off and again when he was brought on just after the hour mark. Atletico, who played the majority of the game with ten men, were unable to hold on for victory and settled for a draw.
The tension escalated after the final whistle. Rather than joining his teammates in the customary walk toward the stands to thank supporters, Alvarez was seen making his way straight down the tunnel. A scarf was thrown toward him as he departed, underscoring the frustration among sections of the Atletico fanbase.
Addressing the incident in his post-match press conference, Simeone made clear that the club, not Alvarez, was responsible for the decision to bypass the fans.
"The club staff told me that the club decided Julian should not go over with his teammates to greet the fans, and that it was not Julian's decision," Simeone told reporters.
The Argentine coach elaborated further on the reasoning behind the move, explaining that the intention was to protect the striker from further confrontation with the crowd.
"The club made the decision to keep him away and have him head to the dressing room," he said.
When pressed on whether he had any message for the disgruntled supporters, Simeone declined to weigh in directly, instead emphasizing his own responsibilities as head coach.
"No, I'm not in a position to give advice to the fans. I think I need to focus on my work, which is to give my best on the sporting side for the good of Atletico de Madrid," he said.
Simeone also used the opportunity to stress the importance of squad unity if Atletico are to challenge for silverware this season, pointing to the need for reliable attacking options.
"The only thing I know is that if Atletico de Madrid wants to win a title, we have to be united. We need forwards, and we need important forwards," he said. "For that, of course, we all have to work in that direction to give the team what it needs."
The episode comes amid ongoing speculation over Alvarez's future at the Wanda Metropolitano. The former Manchester City forward has reportedly made no secret of his ambition to move to Barcelona this summer, a stance that appears to have significantly damaged his standing with a portion of the Atletico faithful.
However, there are indications that a move to Camp Nou may no longer be on the cards, with reports suggesting the LaLiga champions have shifted their attention to alternative transfer targets. That development could complicate Alvarez's hopes of an exit, though it remains unclear whether Sunday's frosty reception marked his final appearance in an Atletico shirt.
For now, the club finds itself navigating a delicate situation: managing a prized striker whose relationship with supporters has soured, while simultaneously trying to maintain the squad harmony Simeone insists is essential for any title push this season. How the saga resolves itself in the coming weeks could have significant implications for Atletico's attacking options and the player's long-term future in Madrid.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport (Football).