Overview

• Television cameras captured Álvarez mouthing “Siempre a mí” on the bench after being substituted against Mallorca, a match in which he missed a penalty.
• Speaking Tuesday before the Rayo match, Diego Simeone repeated that Álvarez is the team’s most important offensive player and said the side needs his goals.
• Simeone explained the Mallorca change as a tactical move to introduce Alexander Sorloth for more presence in the box, noting such frustration from players is normal.
• Álvarez has been taken off in four of Atlético’s five LaLiga fixtures this season, underscoring a pattern that has fed scrutiny of his usage.
• Context from local reports highlights a poor start for Atlético despite heavy summer spending and a Champions League opening defeat to Liverpool.