Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone don talk say Julián Álvarez dey ready to face Barcelona for Sunday LaLiga top-of-the-table clash. The two top teams dey separated by just two points, and na di first time Álvarez go face Barça since di summer transfer saga end.
Álvarez, 26, bin tell ESPN for June say he wanted leave Atlético, and sources confirm say him preference na to join Barça. But Atlético refuse to sell di Argentina forward to their title rival. Dem ignore a €100 million ($111.5m) offer, and Álvarez end up staying for di Metropolitano.
Simeone give short answer for news conference on Saturday when dem ask if Álvarez ready for Barça. ‘He’s doing very good,’ na wetin di coach talk.
Earlier for di season, Atlético fans jeer Álvarez for trying to engineer a move away, but he don apologise for him actions. Di summer events also mean say he no feature plenty at di start of di campaign, but he don start Atlético last four matches and score twice.
Barça coach Hansi Flick bin keen to add Álvarez to him attack after di departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, and he still be fan of di former Manchester City striker. ‘For me, Julián Álvarez is a fantastic player, but he is playing for Atlético. I have to focus on my team,’ Flick talk for news conference.
One attacker Barça did sign for summer na Anthony Gordon, and he don become fixed part of di team attacking trio alongside Raphinha and Lamine Yamal. Gordon, wey don score three goals and provide four assists this season, talk say Barça supporters never see di best of am yet and promise say he go become more selfish.
Flick happy with di England international start to life for Spain, but agree say Gordon fit do more for final third. ‘For me, he gives us a lot with the ball. He keeps the ball. When we are in ball possession, he makes no easy mistakes. But in the final third, I think also he could be more selfish, 1 vs. 1 situations, also like that. The last games are very good. He increased his level, what he gives to the team. I am happy with this,’ Flick talk.
Flick also confirm say defenders Eric García and Andreas Christensen go return to di squad for di Atlético game, while Barça player Rodri out with hamstring problem for di clash.
