Álvarez: Atlético’s indispensable star

Julián Álvarez, nicknamed “La Araña,” is proving to be more than just a forward: he is Atlético Madrid’s key piece. His hat-trick against Rayo Vallecano rescued the team and reaffirmed his ability to show up in decisive moments. Since joining in August 2024, Álvarez has scored 33 goals and provided eight assists in 63 appearances, maintaining a rate of over one goal every two games. Diego Simeone does not hesitate to call Julián the best player in the squad, emphasizing the importance of protecting him and giving him the tools to continue being decisive for years to come.

Numbers that prove his influence

The statistics speak for themselves: Álvarez has scored or assisted in 15 of Atlético’s last 19 victories, and in 20 of the last 28 wins overall. He has been decisive in nine of the team’s 20 victories in 2025, either as the only scorer, providing the crucial assist, or opening the scoring. His performances against Betis (4-1), Barcelona (4-4), Rayo Vallecano (3-2), and Real Madrid (1-1) demonstrate that he not only accumulates numbers but also changes the course of matches. Beyond scoring, his speed, dribbling, ball progression, and vision make him a constant threat, generating danger even without scoring.

The derby and team dependency

With the derby against Real Madrid approaching, all eyes are on Álvarez. Atlético depends on his creativity and finishing ability to challenge their rival at the Metropolitano. His previous goals against Madrid, in last season’s encounters as well as in the Club World Cup and LaLiga, show that he can change the course of a game in seconds. The question arises: can Atlético hold its ground without him? The dependency is clear, and Simeone knows the team needs “La Araña” to shine again if they want to remain competitive against their eternal rival.

The double-edged sword of reliance

While Álvarez is undoubtedly Atlético’s most influential player, this reliance also carries risk: the team can become vulnerable if he does not perform at his best in crucial matches. Simeone’s challenge is to balance the burden of responsibility on Julián while maintaining a solid team structure. Analyzing the last 63 matches, it is evident that the team’s collective performance improves when Álvarez is at his peak, but Atlético must develop alternative attacking options to complement his talent and avoid over-dependence in decisive moments.