The return of the UEFA Champions League this week must have been a tough watch for Manchester City suckers. Not only did their club crash out of the competition in the play-offs, but they were forced to watch Julian Alvarez score a stunning thing at the Bernabéu. Did Pep Guardiola make a mistake by dealing the Argentine to Atletico Madrid? With the help of Opta, we assay his season stats so far.
“Pep Guardiola will be sitting there and allowing, ‘I wish he wanted to stay at Man City.’
These were the words of TNT Sports pundit Rio Ferdinand after watching Julian Alvarez score the stylish thing in the UEFA Champions League this season and who can argue with him?
The 25-time-old scored an impregnable trouble that dribbled past the dive of Real Madrid No. 1 Thibaut Courtois in the first leg of the last 16 tie to silence the Santiago Bernabéu.
The superb thing was not enough to help Atletico lose 2–1 to their bow rivals, but Alvarez showed formerly again that he is able of playing a crucial part in defeating the current Champions League holders in the alternate leg.
How important Manchester City have missed his scoring capability this season!
With the help of our musketeers at Opta, we take a look at Alvarez’s stats this season and see if he can emulate his compatriot Lionel Messi and one day claim the Ballon d’Or.
Joy of debut season
Chancing success in his first season with his new club is nothing new for Alvarez.
The striker could not have wished for a better crusade during his debut season at the Etihad Stadium, as he played a crucial part in helping Pep Guardiola’s side complete the feat in 2022/23.
He scored on his debut against Liverpool in the Community Shield and went on to score 17 goals in 49 games for his new club.
While this season will probably be flashed back for Erling Haaland’s record-breaking exploits, Alvarez’s donation shouldn’t be forgotten as he scored pivotal pretensions.
As City were trying to chase down Arsenal in the title race, Alvarez scored a pivotal equalizer against Liverpool, helping the platoon to a 4–1 palm. He also scored a brilliant winning.
Is he on the verge of winning another treble with Atlético Madrid?
Only time will tell, but since joining the La Liga club in an£ 82million deal last summer, he has come a focal point of Diego Simeone’s side.
Atletico are one point behind Barcelona in the league table and one match down from reaching the Copa del Rey final.
They finished fifth in the new Champions League edition and Alvarez played a crucial part in their progress, scoring two superb goals beforehand in the crusade. Alvarezarez needs to follow up his superb thing with another outstanding performance at the Bernabéu if Atlético are to have any chance of reaching the last eight of the competition.
“This sprat is an terrible footballer, plays in different positions, works hard and has astonishing rates, “Ferdinand said on Tuesday night.”
How important does Manchester City miss Alvarez?
Speaking on Tuesday night, TNT Sports pundit Karen Carney said “I suppose whether you’re a Man City addict or not, why did they let him go?
“But he went according to Pep Guardiola’s wishes, so for whatever reason and they paid over£ 80million for him, he is worth it. He has the time, what he is won and his character.”
Alvarez’s departure from the Etihad is indeed more surprising when you consider his stats during his final season at the club.
