His adaptation to Simeone's system has been the driving force behind this form. While his debut season was a period of adjustment to the rigours of Spanish football, his second campaign has seen him take on a more pronounced leadership role. Operating centrally or drifting wide when required, his work rate and pressing ability have made him indispensable to the "Cholo" style of play.
The demands of playing for Simeone are unique, often requiring forwards to sacrifice personal glory for defensive solidity. The Argentine, who developed under Marcelo Gallardo at River Plate and Pep Guardiola at City, has proven uniquely suited to this hybrid role. His ability to lead the press from the front has allowed Atletico to maintain their defensive identity while adding a lethal cutting edge that had perhaps been missing in previous campaigns.
"He's just as you see him, very, very passionate, very focused on work, on effort, on the mentality that if you work hard, sooner or later the results will come," Alvarez said of his coach. "So, we all trust the team. The truth is, that's it, the way he lives and breathes football makes it resonate with all the players."
Asked about the similarities between Simeone and Guardiola, he added: "There are similarities. Obviously, the way they compete, the winning mentality. Then, what we all see are the differences in the ideas each one has when it comes to approaching matches and seeing football. I don't know if it's because of their experience or what they feel, not because of what they know, but each one has their own style."