Diego Simeone jumps to defence of Julián Alvarez after Atlético’s win over Athletic Club | OneFootball

Atlético Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has on Saturday moved to back summer signing Julián Alvarez.

This comes on the back of another largely underwhelming performance on the part of the Argentine international.

Atlético marked their return to action a short time ago, making the trip to Bilbao for a La Liga meeting with Athletic Club.

With a full 90 minutes on the clock, the matchup looked set to peter out into a goalless stalemate, with the two sides having cancelled each other out.

This, however, was only until Ángel Correa broke free, rounding Julen Agirrezabala before slotting home to secure a last-gasp three-point haul for visiting Atléti.

Correa’s strike came about in the aftermath of a double substitution on the part of boss Simeone, which saw the Argentine introduce both his fellow countryman and Alexander Sørloth from the bench.

Whilst the latter laid on his side’s winner courtesy of a perfectly-weighted assist, however, another leading summer signing for the Rojiblancos, as alluded to above, struggled once more.

Afforded his latest starting berth at San Mamés, Julián Alvarez again toiled in his efforts to introduce any sort of cutting edge to Atlético’s attack.

This added to what has been an altogether disappointing start to life in Spain’s capital for the World Cup winner, following his big-money arrival from Manchester City.

Speaking to the media post-match, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of Alvarez’s form was put to his manager.

Diego Simeone, however, was quick to throw his backing behind the talented frontman.

After first repeatedly calling for ‘tranquility’, the tactician assured:

“He is an extraordinary player, and will help us a lot.”

Conor Laird | GSFN