Atlético Madrid crushed Sevilla without Julián Álvarez in top form

Atlético Madrid crushed Sevilla 3-1 this Saturday at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, without Julián Álvarez, who was absent from the match sheet and did not even step onto the pitch as a substitute. The Colchoneros thus maintained their unbeaten streak in La Liga after three matchdays, with seven points on the board.

Álvarez, who did not train with his teammates for most of the week, was not even on the substitutes' bench. The Madrid club reiterated on Thursday its refusal to transfer the Argentine international to FC Barcelona. The striker, booed by the Atlético fans during his substitution appearance last Sunday, is now in the midst of a major crisis.

Álex Baena, the man of the moment amid the Álvarez crisis

Without their star striker, Diego Simeone’s men found a top-class replacement in Álex Baena. The young Spaniard scored a brace and delivered a high-quality performance to justify his starting spot, a sign of revenge after a shaky start to his La Liga career. “He’s a game-changer,” Simeone praised after the match. “Last year, he got off to a good start. The confidence, the security, the emotions from the World Cup did him good. Today, I told him he could help him unlock his full potential because he makes the difference. We demand this level from him.” Baena opened the scoring as early as the 4th minute, assisted by Lee Kang-in with a precise cross. He then doubled the lead at the 33rd minute, capitalizing on Sevilla’s overly passive defense following a cross from Marcos Llorente. Ademola Lookman had already given Atlético a two-goal lead at the 26th minute, after a well-executed team move.

Sevilla bends but does not break, despite its first defeat

The Andalusians, denied their first win of the season, reduced the deficit in the second half thanks to Miguel Sierra (67'), but failed to trouble Simeone's men any further. The Chilean striker capitalized on defensive confusion to beat Odisseas Vlachodimos with a first-time volley. Despite the defeat, Sevilla remain unbeaten at home in La Liga this season. As for Atlético, the Álvarez question remains unresolved. Simeone sidestepped questions about potential transfers: “I’m not saying this because of Julián, but I always say that anything can happen. I say it every year. It’s football—something can always happen, but I’m not saying it for any particular reason.” The Madrid club, which has already blocked the Argentine’s transfer to Barcelona according to the latest reports, must make a decision before the transfer window closes on Tuesday. A call that looks more complicated than ever. “We’re here to help him on the sporting side and for him to help us, because he’s an extraordinary player,” Simeone concluded. But for now, it’s Baena who’s shining, and Atlético are counting their points without their star striker.