Enrique Cerezo warns about Julián Álvarez: "The matter is closed"

Atlético de Madrid president Enrique Cerezo addressed the media at Anfield ahead of the Champions League meeting with Liverpool and sent a clear message about Julián Álvarez, a case he considers closed. The Atlético chief was optimistic about the start of the European campaign, pointed out that the club has already won in that stadium, and highlighted the season's biggest ambition: reaching the final that will be played at the Metropolitano.

• Enrique Cerezo says the Julián Álvarez case is closed and his return to the starting line-up depends only on the coach.
• The Atlético president sees the player recovering well after recent personal events.
• Cerezo highlights the excitement of playing a Champions League final at the Metropolitano and the obligation to try to reach it.
• He admits the team is not among the main favourites for the competition.
• He acknowledges that starts to a season are always difficult and backs Atlético to win at Anfield.

What Cerezo said about the Julián Álvarez situation

Julián Álvarez was one of the main topics during the Atlético de Madrid president's press conference. Cerezo explained that the Argentine forward is going through a recovery process after some recent personal events that have affected him. He admitted that anyone suffers in these circumstances and that it is normal to be concerned.

Even so, the Atlético chief wanted to make things clear: the player's progress is positive and the coach will decide when he returns to action. "The recovery is going well and when the boss thinks it is right, he will play," he said before issuing a blunt warning to journalists: "The Julián case is closed."

The dream of a Champions League final at the Metropolitano

One of the main incentives of the season for Atlético de Madrid is that the Champions League final will be played at their own stadium. Enrique Cerezo made no secret of the excitement generated by that scenario and stressed that hosting the title decider at the Metropolitano forces the team to fight for everything in order to be there.

The Atlético president described this edition as a special Champions League for that reason. Although he accepts that the club is not among the top favourites, he insisted that they work with clear ideas and with the intention of winning wherever they play. "We do things knowing what we want, and what we want is to win wherever we play," he said.

Atlético's record at Anfield and the build-up to the game

Cerezo reflected on Atlético de Madrid's recent record against Liverpool and underlined that the feelings have always been positive. The team has experienced everything in previous visits to Anfield: wins, draws and defeats. That background gives them confidence, although they are well aware of how difficult it is to face one of the strongest sides in Europe.

The Atlético president pointed out that they always go out with a winning mentality and hoped this time they could start the group stage on the right foot. The match in Liverpool represents the first major European test of the season for Diego Simeone's side, who need to pick up points from the very beginning.

Atlético's difficult start to the season

On the domestic front, the Atlético president admitted that starting a season is never easy. He used as an example the excellent performance in Seville, followed by the defeat in Bilbao, where they let a game slip away in just two minutes when they at least deserved not to lose. For Cerezo, those situations are simply part of football.

That run of mixed results does not change the team's approach. Atlético travel to Liverpool with the intention of competing at the highest level and securing a prestigious win in one of the most demanding venues in Europe. The president's message was clear: it is time to bounce back and respond on the pitch at Anfield.

It is a special Champions League. We are happy and proud that the final is in our stadium. That forces us to try to win everything so we can be in that final.

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