Coach Diego Simeone has confirmed that Julián Álvarez will be in Atlético Madrid's squad to face Athletic Club, saying the star has an "opportunity" to turn his situation around after failing to secure a move to Barcelona this summer.
Álvarez made public his desire to leave Atlético during this summer's World Cup, but Atlético refused to sanction a switch to his preferred destination Barça, with the forward staying put as the transfer window closed on Tuesday.
The Argentina international has featured for just 24 minutes in LaLiga so far this season -- being whistled by fans at the Metropolitano as he came off the bench against Villarreal on Aug. 23 -- but will travel to Bilbao for Saturday's game.
"He's training very well," Simeone said in a news conference on Friday. "He's going to be called up, he'll be part of the group that travels to Bilbao, and we expect the best from him."
Álvarez sought to leave Atlético after scoring eight LaLiga goals last season, and another 10 in the Champions League as the team reached the semifinals.
Fans were angered by his declaration that he wanted to "fulfil his dream" with a departure, while Atlético were unhappy with Barcelona's pursuit of the player, with CEO Miguel Ángel Gil Marín saying he "won't negotiate with Barcelona under any circumstances."
"Life is full of opportunities," Simeone said on Friday. "This is an opportunity for Julián to adjust a lot of situations in his life. We spend all our time learning and, unfortunately, a great deal of time judging. We all judge; we need to judge less, and focus more on learning.
"This step will provide him with a lot of learning, and he has the opportunity to resolve situations internally, so that they benefit him and so that he's happy. We want him to be well, happy, and to score goals."
Atlético signed Jonathan David on loan from Juventus on the last day of the transfer window, having been short of forwards so far this season with Álvarez unavailable and Alexander Sørloth injured.
David struggled in Serie A last campaign, scoring just six goals, but excelled before that in France's Ligue 1.
"We need the player [David], especially the player he was at Lille," Simeone said.
"We've spoken with him, he has characteristics that can help us, given the qualities of our team. We need him to adapt as quickly as possible. He's in the process, because he arrived very recently, but he looks enthusiastic and eager."
