Atletico Madrid president says Barcelona match is ‘very special’ for Julian Alvarez

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo says Sunday’s La Liga meeting with Barcelona will be a particularly significant occasion for striker Julian Alvarez.

Atletico host Barcelona at Wanda Metropolitano in the 12th round of La Liga, with the two sides separated by just two points at the top of the table. Barcelona lead on 30 points, while Atletico are second on 28.

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Cerezo said relations between the clubs remained positive despite the importance of the fixture.

“I think the relationship is good,” he said. “In football, we should all be friends. We have to talk to them, but I see things progressing for the match as they always do.”

Barcelona attempted to sign Argentina forward Alvarez during the summer transfer window, but Atletico refused to part with their player.

Asked about Alvarez facing Barcelona and whether the Catalan club could make another offer for him, Cerezo said: “It is a very special match for him. I think he has already apologised and said he made a mistake. Now what he has to do is play and score goals with Atletico Madrid.”

Cerezo added: “If they make a new offer, they will receive our response to it.”

Alvarez’s meeting with Barcelona follows an incident for which he apologised and acknowledged that he had made a mistake. Cerezo said the forward’s priority should now be performing for Atletico and contributing goals against the side that tried to sign him.

Atletico have made a strong start across their competitions, although Cerezo believes they must improve in the Champions League.

“The team is doing well in all competitions, but we have to raise our level a little in the Champions League,” he said.

Atletico will also be aiming to remain near the top of La Liga before the international break. Cerezo said the club’s objective was to approach the next league fixture in the same way as always and seek victory.

“I think we will try to win our next league match as we always do, in order to try to remain at the top all the time,” he said.