Julián Álvarez ruled out again for Atlético vs Osasuna

Julián Álvarez will miss a second successive match. Diego Simeone confirmed on Tuesday, speaking at the Metropolitano press auditorium, that the forward is not yet fit for Atlético Madrid's game with Osasuna on Wednesday.

Tests confirmed the injury, and there was no repeat involvement against Osasuna. Whether he is fit for Sunday's derby against Real Madrid, also at the Metropolitano, remains open.

Since joining pre-season on 10 August, delayed by the 2026 World Cup final, Álvarez has managed only three of six competitive matches, starting just once, away at Liverpool. Aleksandr Sørloth and Pablo Barrios also trained apart from the group on Monday with muscle complaints, leaving Simeone to reshuffle attack again. Jonathan David, who scored his first goal for the club against Real Sociedad, worked as the only recognised centre-forward in Monday's session, with Ademola Lookman kept in reserve as a winger rather than a central option.

Osasuna arrive at the Metropolitano under their own pressure, needing points to lift their league position. For Atlético, the aim is to add three points before turning full attention to Sunday's derby.