MADRID, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone on Friday confirmed that the want-away striker Julian Alvarez won't form part of his squad for Saturday's visit to Sevilla in the third round of games in La Liga.
Alvarez was roundly booed by fans in Atletico's metropolitan Stadium before last weekend's game against Villarreal and when he came on as a late substitute. He said in June that he wanted to leave the club.
The Argentina international wants to move to FC Barcelona, but Atletico refuses to sell him to a club it considers has made an illegal approach to the player.
Alvarez missed training for the third consecutive day on Friday and Simeone confirmed the 26-year-old "won't be available tomorrow (Saturday)" when speaking to the press.
"I understand that most of your questions will be about what's happening with Julian, but the club has been firm and clear about what will happen," said the Atletico coach, who still hopes the problem can be resolved.
"I'm still in the same position, hoping, from a sporting perspective, to help him be the crucial player he is for us."
"When he comes back, we'll give him everything he needs to feel important. In life, anything can be reversed, as long as we have our health," insisted Simeone, who was also confident the situation won't affect the rest of his squad.
"The players are working very well, especially since the World Cup players have been here. I don't see that happening," he replied when asked about the atmosphere. ■
