Álvarez Meets Simeone — but the Showdown Hasn’T Happened Yet

Julián Álvarez trained normally with Atlético Madrid this morning in his first full group session since returning from his break. Mundo Deportivo reports that Diego Simeone included him in tactical work and even placed him in one of the two line-ups used during the session. 

That matters because Álvarez had been expected to confront Simeone over his desire to leave. So far, there is no confirmation that the anticipated conversation actually took place. The forward left the training ground at around 11:00 with the rest of the squad. 

For a morning billed as a potential turning point, it looked remarkably normal. Atlético are still treating Álvarez as their player, while Barcelona remain on the outside waiting for the pressure to produce something more concrete.