An explanation for the premature withdrawal of Julián Alvarez from Atlético Madrid’s defeat at the hands of Arsenal has come to the fore online.
This comes amid confirmation that the Argentine was again struggling for fitness.
Frontman Alvarez emerged as a major doubt to play his part in Atlético’s Champions League semi-final return leg showdown with Arsenal at The Emirates over the last week.
The 26-year-old was struggling with a niggling ankle complaint, which proved enough to keep him out of his side’s weekend La Liga victory over Valencia.
In the end, Alvarez was cleared to feature from the off in north London, in a season-defining outing for he and his teammates.
It therefore came as a major surprise when, midway through the 2nd-half, the World Cup winner was hauled off by boss Diego Simeone.
As alluded to above, though, the reasoning for this call has since been revealed online.
As per a report from Marca:
‘After the hour mark, he could go no further. After an attempt to send in a cross that went straight into Raya’s hands, the Argentinian was the first to realize he was feeling the strain.’
Alvarez, after attempting to run the problem off, was from here forced to give in to his ankle pain, calling for an immediate substitution on a night to forget for all of a Rojiblancos persuasion.
Conor Laird – GSFN
