Nacho Donado weighs up Julián Álvarez's apology to Atlético fans

Nacho Donado praises the timing of Julián's apology, with Atleti out of Copa action and all the noise centred on El Clásico, but says something calmer and less rehearsed would have convinced him more. Julián, he says, has already earned his professional respect.

Nacho Donado breaks down Julián Álvarez's apology by separating the timing, the delivery and the substance. On the timing he has no doubts: he thinks it was well judged, coming in an unusual week when El Clásico will dominate the conversation and Atleti have some breathing space because they are not involved in the first round of the Copa del Rey. A good opportunity to get things back to normal.

The delivery convinces him less. He would have found something calmer far more persuasive, a response that did not sound memorised. He understands why Julián learned it by heart, since communication is not his strong point, as was already seen in the summer, but he believes it could have been done better.

The message itself, however, he considers right. From there, each fan can decide how to treat Julián: forgive him, show him indifference or get behind him. For Nacho, Julián has at least earned recognition for his professionalism and respect on the pitch; the emotional side is up to each individual.