Julián Álvarez apologises to Atlético Madrid fans over Barcelona move bid

Julián Álvarez, who scored Atlético Madrid's winning goal against Deportivo A Coruña, apologised to the fans for trying to join Barcelona during the summer transfer window.

The transfer saga surrounding Álvarez was one of the most talked-about stories of the last window. In an interview given during the World Cup, the Argentine forward said he wanted to leave Atlético and that Barcelona was his preferred destination.

Having ultimately stayed at Atlético Madrid, the striker was gradually reintegrated into the team by head coach Diego Simeone.

After scoring his first goal of the season in midweek in the 1-1 Champions League draw with Stuttgart, Álvarez struck again against Deportivo in the 48th minute to give his side a 1-0 victory. The result allowed Atleti to cut the gap to leaders Barcelona, who face Real Madrid on Sunday, to 2 points.

Speaking after the match, Álvarez said: "I want to apologise to our fans for what I said during the World Cup. The way I expressed myself and my timing were a mistake."

The Argentine star continued:

"I understand the fans' reaction, especially when I think about the support they have shown me since I arrived here. They have always been very generous towards me. Now it is time to work and give everything I have. I feel better with every passing day. The support has always been there for me. I am working to improve, and I have recovered physically as well. When you feel good in life, it shows on the pitch too. Even as professionals, everything that happens affects you."

With this goal, Álvarez scored in 2 consecutive matches across all competitions for Atlético for the first time since April.

Head coach Diego Simeone continued to back his player throughout the process and highlighted his importance to the team. "I have great respect for people who apologise, because apologising is not easy. I am very happy for Álvarez; he must be feeling a great sense of inner peace right now. When someone takes a step like that, it is because they truly feel it. I am extremely pleased with my player, and we need him. If the club wants to reach the heights the fans dream of, we need Julián Álvarez at his very best," Simeone said.

Atlético Madrid, who have also won their last 6 LaLiga matches, have kept clean sheets in their last 2 games.