Atletico Madrid are gearing up for maybe their most essential sport of the season as they lock horns with tonight, within the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals.
Following failures in La Liga and the Copa del Rey, securing the UCL may very well be essential for Atleti if they’re to maintain maintain of this summer season, particularly amid curiosity from Barcelona.
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Nevertheless, heading into tonight’s sport, Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo provided his ideas on the hypothesis surrounding Alvarez’s future and he didn’t mince his phrases.
What Cerezo mentioned about Alvarez
Chatting with the media forward of the semi-final, Cerezo expressed his frustration with the quantity of experiences linking the Argentine striker to a transfer away from the Metropolitano.
“Julian is an Atletico de Madrid participant. He’s in the present day, he can be tomorrow, and subsequent season. To insist on this once more appears, frankly, hurtful to me,” he mentioned (h/t ).
When requested about Barcelona particularly, Cerezo mocked the Catalans, citing Atletico Madrid’s current win over the within the Champions League quarterfinals.
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“I like targets, that’s why I at all times take pleasure in enjoying in opposition to Barcelona.”
Atletico Madrid stay eager on preserving maintain of Julian Alvarez. (Picture by Eric Alonso/Getty Photographs)
Are Barcelona making any inroads?
Cerezo’s feedback come in opposition to the backdrop of Barcelona slowly beginning to realise the operational value of making an attempt to signal somebody like Alvarez.
The is definitely valued at round €120 million, which is solely unrealistic for a membership nonetheless coping with FFP limitations and an inflated wage invoice.
Due to this fact, until the Catalans handle to safe the exit of a number of first-team stars within the coming summer season, they could quickly need to .
Atletico Madrid, for one, have to a direct rival. Barcelona, subsequently, have a call to make this summer season.