Julián Álvarez faces Barça with 100-day scoring drought | OneFootball

Julián Álvarez faces Barça amid a 100-day drought that has stirred concern at Atlético Madrid. According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, he has not scored in La Liga since 1 November.

He has not found the net in the Copa del Rey or the Supercopa in Arabia, and failed to score for Argentina against Venezuela. Since 1 November his only goals came in the Champions League, the last on 9 December at PSV.

Across the season he has 11 goals and five assists in 2,406 minutes over 32 games. Simeone has used him with Sorloth, Griezmann, Baena and new signing Lookman, but he has not settled.

On Sunday at Betis he was substituted at half-time, only the second time since he joined, after an early outing against Espanyol. He has one goal in his last 15 matches and is 820 minutes without scoring, his worst European run.

Of his seven La Liga goals, only one is from open play, the other six from penalties or free-kicks.

Barcelona have him on a shortlist should Robert Lewandowski depart, while Simeone works to reset him. Álvarez is contracted until June 2030 and no exit is being considered by club or player.

Simeone thinks a couple of favourable games could change the picture, calling Álvarez vital and hoping for more soon. Captain Koke said demands on elite players are high and the whole squad must raise standards.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo