Julián Álvarez 'hesitated one-on-one and played with fear'

Rubén Uría and Borja Aranda agree that Julián's problem against Barcelona was mental: after missing the first chance, he hesitated over whether to carry on or chip the keeper on the second and ended up freezing.

Rubén Uría argues that it is possible to deliver tough, balanced sporting criticism without insulting anyone, and points out that Julián Álvarez is being protected both in public and in private. "The match hurt him a lot: on the second chance, running through on the goalkeeper, he hesitated between carrying on or chipping it because his head was still on the first one. The ball was burning his feet."

Borja Aranda goes further: "The Julián we knew would have cut inside to finish, dribbling, chipping or hitting it first time. Now he hesitates," Aranda explains. Borja also points to the added pressure of the opponent being Barcelona, the club involved in the problems he had in focusing on Atleti.

Aranda closes with one thought: "Football always offers a chance for redemption, but when a player is blocked it is very hard to get back on track in an elite match, given the mental impact it has on his game."