Jonathan David steps up the pressure on Julián Álvarez at Atlético Madrid

Julián Álvarez is racing to be available for Sunday's derby against Real Madrid at the Metropolitano. The Argentine forward has missed Atlético Madrid's last two matches against Real Sociedad and Osasuna due to a muscle overload suffered in training before the trip to Anoeta. In the meantime, Jonathan David has burst onto the scene and is already making a strong case for a place in Diego Simeone's attack.

• Julián Álvarez is pushing to return for the derby after sitting out two matches with muscle issues.
• Jonathan David has scored in his last two appearances and is competing for a starting role.
• Alexander Sorloth has yet to train with the group since the start of the official season.
• Simeone first tried Ademola Lookman up front, but the Canadian has settled in as the main reference.

Julián Álvarez races against time to make the derby

The Argentine international is working with the aim of returning for the clash against his side's eternal rival. His standout recent performance came at Anfield, where he started and set up Marcos Llorente's opening goal with an assist that underlined his connection with the group and his commitment to the team. Before that, he had already shown signs of improvement at San Mamés.

The two wins achieved without him, both emphatic, have eased some of the pressure in the dressing room, but getting a player of his calibre back is still seen as vital for a match in which Atlético have far more than three points at stake.

Jonathan David delivers goals just when Atlético need them most

The Canadian striker joined the club on 31 August and has gradually worked his way into Simeone's plans. He made his debut at Anfield and soon after featured again at Anoeta, where he scored on his first LaLiga appearance. On Wednesday, starting against Osasuna, he found the net once more to open the scoring.

Two goals in two matches, both of them classic centre-forward finishes, have given Simeone breathing room during a stretch hampered by attacking problems: Sorloth remains out injured and Julián Álvarez has not yet reached his best physical or emotional form. David's emergence has come at exactly the right time to give the team more options.

A battle that goes beyond the starting spot

Simeone had previously tried Lookman as the main reference in attack, but the former Atalanta player performs better when he starts from the left wing. That situation has cleared things up: David is now the most natural number nine available to Atlético, a profile that fits what the team needs while Julián Álvarez recovers his best level.

The two forwards are compatible on paper. The Argentine can drop slightly deeper and play behind the Canadian, but if Simeone decides to use only one out-and-out striker, the fight for the role is wide open. Álvarez knows he cannot afford to ease off: David is pushing hard and his goals are carrying weight.

What the derby against Real Madrid means for Atlético

The Metropolitano derby comes at a delicate point in the season for Atlético, who need points to avoid losing ground at the top of LaLiga. Beyond the table, the fixture carries an emotional charge for the home crowd, who expect their team to go toe-to-toe with one of their biggest historic rivals.

With Sorloth still training away from the group since the start of the official campaign, Álvarez's recovery and David's form have become two of the main tactical storylines heading into a match that will shape how Simeone's side approach the rest of the season.

Two goals in two matches, both of them pure centre-forward finishes, give Simeone some breathing room amid his attacking problems.

Simeone's attacking options for the derby

Atlético's attacking alternatives have changed completely in a matter of weeks. A position that once looked locked down by Julián Álvarez is now up for debate following David's breakthrough, while Lookman is likely to be used on the left side and Sorloth remains unavailable due to his physical issue.

Simeone must choose between a classic penalty-box striker and the mobility Álvarez provides in the final third. The decision matters, because it will determine how Atlético exploit the spaces in behind Real Madrid's back line, a team that has mastered counter-attacking football in direct duels in recent seasons.