Diego Simeone Defends Julian Alvarez Substitution Despite Atletico Madrid’s Ongoing Struggles
Atletico Madrid’s turbulent start to the La Liga season took another twist over the weekend as Diego Simeone found himself defending his decision to substitute Julian Alvarez during a frustrating 1-1 draw against Mallorca. The move, which replaced Alvarez with Alexander Sorloth in the 62nd minute, sparked an angry reaction from the Argentine forward — and matters only got worse when Sorloth was sent off just ten minutes later.
Yet, despite the criticism, Simeone doubled down on his call, insisting that Alvarez remains “the best player we have,” and explaining that the decision was tactical rather than punitive.
Atletico Madrid’s Struggles Continue
It has been a difficult start for Los Rojiblancos, who currently sit in 12th place with just one win from their opening five matches. A tally of six points leaves them already nine points adrift of city rivals Real Madrid and facing uncomfortable questions about whether Simeone’s long tenure might finally be nearing its end.
The Mallorca match was meant to be an opportunity to turn the page after a patchy start, but instead it offered another display of inconsistency. Atletico looked good in spells, created chances, and seemed in control after taking the lead, but once again failed to see out the match, conceding Vedat Muriqi’s late equaliser in the 85th minute.
For a side built on defensive solidity and game management, these kinds of lapses are becoming worryingly frequent.
Julian Alvarez’s Angry Reaction
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Perhaps the most talked-about moment of the evening came when Alvarez, a 2022 World Cup winner with Argentina, was taken off just after the hour mark. The forward, who had been one of Atleti’s liveliest players on the pitch, was visibly frustrated as he trudged off, exchanging words with Simeone and throwing a glance back toward the touchline.
Fans inside the Metropolitano appeared surprised as well — many of them voicing their disapproval when the substitution was made. The frustration only grew when Sorloth, who replaced Alvarez, picked up a red card for a rash challenge just ten minutes after entering the field.
It was a sequence of events that perfectly summed up Atletico’s season so far: good intentions, questionable execution, and another missed opportunity.
Simeone Defends His Decision
Speaking after the match, Simeone stood by his call to take Alvarez off.
“He’s the best player we have, offensively confident. We need him at his best,” the Argentine coach told reporters. “He was having a very good game, but I realized we needed Sorloth to create some deeper situations inside the box. He was sent off in a confusing play. We were down a man. And with Julian… all the players get angry when they come off.”
Simeone’s comments suggest that his decision was based on tactical needs rather than dissatisfaction with Alvarez’s performance. The plan, it seems, was to use Sorloth’s physical presence to stretch Mallorca’s back line and create space for runners like Marcos Llorente.
Unfortunately for Atletico, that plan unraveled almost immediately after the Norwegian striker’s dismissal.
Growing Pressure on “El Cholo”
The substitution drama is just the latest flashpoint in what has been a turbulent 12 months for Simeone. Reports in Spain have been hinting that his era might be coming to an end, with some suggesting that club icon Fernando Torres could be groomed as a potential successor.
The sight of Alvarez reacting angrily will do little to quiet speculation that Simeone is beginning to lose the dressing room. For years, the Argentine coach’s hallmark has been his ability to get every ounce of fight and unity out of his players. If that bond is starting to fray, it could spell the beginning of a new chapter for Atletico.
Still, Simeone’s post-match words carried the defiance of a man who is not ready to let go just yet.
“With one man less, we settled in and the goal came, taking advantage of Llorente’s speed. We did what we had to do. We couldn’t hold on because of that great goal from Muriqi,” he said, framing the result as a story of bad luck rather than tactical failure.
What’s Next for Atletico Madrid?
The schedule doesn’t get any easier for Los Colchoneros. They host Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday in what now feels like a must-win game, before taking on Real Madrid in a mouthwatering Madrid derby at the weekend.
Both fixtures will be crucial in determining whether Simeone can steady the ship or if the calls for change will grow louder. Alvarez, assuming he starts, will also be under the spotlight — both to deliver on the pitch and to show that there are no lingering tensions between him and his coach.
For Atletico Madrid fans, the hope will be that this latest episode becomes a rallying point rather than a sign of deeper cracks within the squad.
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