Derby Day Confidence: Cerezo Bets on Álvarez’s Comeback in the Spanish Super Cup

Match context and setting

In Saudi Arabia, ahead of the Spanish Super Cup semifinal derby between Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid, club president Enrique Cerezo spoke to media accompanying the squad. The game is being broadcast exclusively via the Eight app.

Key quotes on Julián Álvarez

“All players go through ups and downs. No one doubts his quality, his good form, or his talent. I believe Julián Álvarez will return soon to be the player we always know,” Cerezo said, as relayed by Marca.

Asked what he would tell the player, he added: “I talk to him about everything; he is a wonderful person. The current drop in scoring does not satisfy him or anyone, but I think he will return very soon to be one of the best players in the world.”

Derby dynamics and coach stability

Addressing rumors about Real Madrid changing nine coaches while Atlético keeps Simeone, Cerezo stated: “We have one coach because he is very good at his job, delivering titles and wins, and we want him to stay.”

On the absence of Kylian Mbappé, he added: “I always prefer the best to play. It’s unfortunate he couldn’t come; I would have liked to see him participate.”

Presidential milestone and outlook

Discussing his 1,200th match as president, Cerezo said: “If the newspapers counted accurately, I would certainly choose our league title win against Barcelona as the best moment; the worst would be the European finals losses.”

He also spoke about the team’s title ambitions and the derby’s importance, noting that a combination of skill, belief, and a touch of luck is needed to finish games strongly.

Lastly, reflecting on the removal of extra time and the possibility of penalties, Cerezo commented: “Penalties are what they are… We have some European misfortunes there, but this isn’t Europe, and we hope to win here.”

And when asked about the broader coaching landscape at Real Madrid, he quipped that Atlético benefits from stability: “We have one coach because he is excellent at his job, and because he delivers championships and wins. We want him to stay.”

Regarding Mbappé’s absence, he reiterated his preference for the best players to participate, noting it’s a pity he couldn’t join.

To mark the milestone of his 1,200th match as president, Cerezo concluded with a nod to the club’s enduring journey and the hope for continued success in domestic and European competitions.

Two light notes to close: Punchline 1: If Álvarez’s form were a weapon, Atlético would be carrying a sniper rifle—aim steady, the goal is coming. Punchline 2: In football, timing is everything; apparently Álvarez’s clock has a slight delay, but it still finishes on target before my wifi does.