Diego Simeone launches fresh defence of under-fire Atlético Madrid star | OneFootball

Atlético Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has once more moved to defend an under-fire member of his attacking ranks.

The player in question? Julián Alvarez.

Frontman Alvarez, for his part, is fresh off another largely underwhelming display, on Sunday night.

Afforded a starting berth in Atlético’s La Liga meeting with Rayo Vallecano, the Argentine international struggled to make his presence felt, en route to a disappointing 1-1 stalemate.

This marks just the latest disappointing display on the part of the summer arrival in Spain’s capital, who has, to date, failed to come even close to living up to his price-tag.

The fact remains, though, that Alvarez’s La Liga stint has only just begun, a point which boss Diego Simeone was eager to drive home once more in the aftermath of last night’s clash.

Speaking to the media, in quotes gathered by Mundo Deportivo, Alvarez’s fellow countryman assured:

“He’s a forward who is playing in his position and I don’t see anything strange. I’m giving him minutes because he’s a very important player for us, he’s a great player. He’s not getting in front of goal like he would like. The same thing is happening to Sørloth. The goals are going to come.”

Conor Laird – GSFN