Enrique Cerezo: Barcelona clash will be special for Julian Alvarez

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo said Sunday’s meeting with Barcelona would be special for Julian Alvarez, after the Catalan club sought to sign the striker during the summer.

Atletico refused to sell Alvarez to Barcelona despite his publicly stating that he wanted to move. The player stayed with his club and later apologised to the fans. Cerezo said Alvarez admitted that he had made a mistake, and that he now had to play and score goals for Atletico Madrid.

Cerezo added that Atletico were performing well but needed to improve their level in the Champions League, while aiming to win their next match in the competition and boost their chances of finishing among the top eight teams. Asked what he would say to Barcelona president Joan Laporta if he asked about Alvarez, Cerezo replied that Laporta would get his answer.

The report noted that Barcelona have scored frequently this season after moving Raphinha to centre-forward, and that the club says it has moved on from its interest in Alvarez; Deco described him as a thing of the past.