Baena on Julián: 'Even Cristiano and Messi had bad days'

Álex Baena discusses Julián Álvarez after his poor night against Barça: the dressing room sees him as fully committed, and Baena admits the relationship with the stands affects him. He trusts the fans will warm to him.

On 'El Club Uría', Rubén Uría showed the clip from the interview with Alejandro Baena in which the Atlético player explains the situation surrounding Julián Álvarez.

Baena says Julián had a rough night after the match against Barça, but that day to day the squad see him in good spirits: smiling, joking and fully committed. He understands that people demand a lot of him as one of the best strikers in the world, but points out that every footballer has bad days, just as Cristiano and Messi did. He even suggests that the worrying thing would be the day Julián stops getting four or five chances a game.

Asked about his relationship with the stands, caught between whistles and encouragement, Baena admits it probably affects him quite a lot. He recalls that Julián has already apologised publicly and that this reflects well on him, although he understands the fans' anger at the way he acted. His conclusion: Julián is working to get back to his best, the team need him to achieve big things, and if he keeps this up the supporters will grow fonder of him.