Marcos Llorente stated that Atletico Madrid need the goals of Julián Álvarez following the team's first defeat of the LaLiga season. The red-and-white side fell 3-0 to Athletic Club at San Mamés on Saturday, a result that leaves them seventh in the table with 7 points from 4 games.
Argentine forward Julián Álvarez made his first appearance of the campaign when he came on in the second half with his team already 2-0 down. His introduction to the pitch, with just over half an hour remaining, could not change the course of a match that definitively slipped away from Atletico in two fatal minutes after the break. ESPN reported that the club refused to negotiate his transfer with Barcelona during the summer window.
What did Marcos Llorente say about Julián Álvarez?
The midfielder Marcos Llorente addressed the Argentine striker's situation directly in comments gathered by ESPN. "He is a very important player for us. He knows it." expressed the Madrid-born player. These words come at a time when the team is searching for more firepower, having scored 7 goals and conceded 6 so far in the league.
Álvarez came on as a substitute in a starting eleven where Diego Simeone had trusted Álex Baena and Kang-in Lee in the attacking positions. Jonathan David, who arrived on loan on deadline day, remained on the bench without playing any minutes. The complete first-team squad is available on our squad page.
How was the match lost at San Mamés?
Slovak defender Dávid Hancko offered a blunt analysis of the start of the second half. "You could say we lost it in 120 seconds. It was a really bad start to the second half... For two minutes, we turned off," the player admitted to ESPN. That disconnection proved lethal. Nico Williams opened the scoring in the 46th minute and Robert Navarro extended the home advantage just two minutes later, in the 48th.
Oihan Sancet sealed the rout later, confirming Atletico's first league defeat of this 2026-27 season. This stumble leaves the team 5 points behind leaders Barcelona in the title race. The evolution of this chase can be followed in the standings table.
What is Atletico's immediate schedule?
The team has no time for regrets. The schedule is demanding and the next challenge is already this weekend. After a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool in the Champions League, Atletico Madrid will visit Real Sociedad in the LaLiga matchday. This match is scheduled for September 13, 2026.
Real Sociedad currently occupies ninth place in the table, making it a direct duel for European positions. All the details of the upcoming fixtures are available in our fixtures calendar. Simeone's team will look to react quickly and correct their course in a important week with two difficult away trips.
