Atlético de Madrid are preparing to resume La Liga action after the international break, with a crucial match against Valencia on matchday five. However, one of the big unknowns of the week is whether Julián Álvarez will start at Mestalla. Due to a technical decision by Diego Simeone, he could remain on the bench.
The Argentine striker, who joined Atlético de Madrid from Manchester City for a fee of around 75 million euros, has already played a few minutes. Since his arrival, Julián Álvarez is slowly adapting to LaLiga . However, after the international break in September, Simeone could opt for a rotation that allows him to better manage the physical loads of his players.
The minutes against Argentina, a decisive factor
During the international break, Julián Álvarez was one of the key players for the Argentine national team, playing a total of 179 minutes in two matches . These matches were in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup . Although his performance was more than outstanding, with a goal and an assist, his commitments with his country could influence Simeone 's decision .
The international calendar, combined with LaLiga and Atlético de Madrid 's upcoming Champions League commitments, forces Simeone to manage the fatigue of his most important players. Julián Álvarez has shown excellent physical condition during his career, but the wear and tear accumulated after travelling could mean that Simeone opts to leave him on the bench at Mestalla .
Simeone's strategy and the depth of the squad
The season is long and Simeone has repeatedly stressed the importance of having a large squad ready to compete in all competitions. The Argentine coach also has players like Antoine Griezmann , Ángel Correa and Alexandre Sorloth in attack. He has plenty of options to face the match against Valencia without having to give Julián Álvarez many minutes.
Simeone might prefer to reserve him for the more demanding commitments that lie ahead, both in La Liga and the Champions League . The depth of Atletico Madrid 's bench is one of their greatest strengths this season, and Simeone will look to take advantage of that. The manager has shown in the past his ability to rotate and manage his squad masterfully, so the season looks good for the Rojiblancos.
The signing of Julián Álvarez by Atlético de Madrid was one of the big news of the summer transfer market. His successful time at Manchester City, where he was a key player in winning the treble in the 2022-2023 season, supports him. His ability to play both as a centre forward and in more distant positions makes him a versatile player who is difficult to replace.