Julián Álvarez left out of Atlético's squad for Málaga opener with physical issue

What a start to the season for Atlético Madrid. Ahead of the league opener against Málaga at the Estadio Metropolitano, an absence surfaced that got everyone talking: Julián Álvarez did not make the squad.

The Argentine forward, one of the club's marquee names, was left out right as the league season kicked off. That's no small detail for a player who, according to the head coach himself, is a key piece of the project.

What makes it curious is that the absence comes amid a turbulent summer for Álvarez. The forward let the club know during the transfer window that he wants to leave Atlético, but the Madrid outfit was clear: it has no intention of negotiating an exit. Given all that, it would be easy to assume the absence for the league debut had something to do with that standoff between player and club.

Diego Simeone cleared that up a day before the match. The coach explained that Álvarez, 26, simply wasn't in physical condition to play, nothing more. No conflict, no disciplinary measure.

He's our best player and I want to have him available all season.Diego Simeone

The Argentine coach went further, saying he expects to have Álvarez available for the next league fixture, on Sunday against Villarreal. In other words, the coaching staff sees this as a simple matter of physical fitness, nothing beyond that.

Other absences from the squad

Álvarez wasn't the only notable absence for the league opener. Recent signing Cristian "Cuti" Romero, the Argentine defender who joined the club in the last transfer window, also missed out, as he still needs time to settle in with the group. Forward Alexander Sorloth, who is dealing with an injury, rounded out the list of absentees.

With that backdrop, Atlético had to navigate the league debut with several important pieces either sidelined or short of match fitness. It's an unwelcome hurdle for Simeone right at the start of the season, when every team is trying to find its rhythm as quickly as possible.

It remains to be seen whether the lineup that takes on Villarreal will already have Álvarez back in the fold. If the coach's words hold true, the forward could return just days after missing the opener, with the chapter on a possible transfer, at least for now, set aside.