Diego Simeone plays down Julian Alvarez frustration after outburst | OneFootball

Atletico Madrid are not having the start to the season that they had imagined after another summer of heavy investment and some exciting signings. With just one win from their opening five games, Los Colchoneros are already well off the pace set by league leaders and city rivals Real Madrid.

Unsurprisingly, frustration is rising at the Metropolitano – and away from it. Over the weekend, one of the main talking points after Atletico slumped to a 1-1 draw with RCD Mallorca down to ten men, was the frustration shown by star forward Julian Alvarez.

Julian Alvarez frustration with Simeone

Alvarez, the team’s best player in the eyes of many, missed a penalty in the first half against Mallorca, and was withdrawn just after the hour mark to be replaced by Alexander Sorloth with the score at 0-0. The World Cup-winner was seen looking frustrated on the bench, and was seen mouthing ‘always to me’, implying that Simeone always takes him off.

Diego Simeone moves to play down issue

Simeone was naturally asked about the reaction ahead of Los Rojiblancos next game against Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday night.

“We need to approach the match against a team that’s playing well. As for Julian, I did what I thought the team needed. He’s the best player we have, and we need him. We hope he can find the goal and the team can help him. We need him at his best; that’s what he came for,” he told Marca.

Image via Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Struggles up front for Julian Alvarez

Although in one of Los Colchoneros’ games he came off due to muscle discomfort, Alvarez has been perfectly fit for the rest of their five clashes so far, and has completed just one of them. So far it has been a difficult campaign for Alvarez as much as Atletico, with Diario AS highlighting that Alvarez has had just one big chance all season, and has scored just one goal, both coming on the opening day against Espanyol. Against Villarreal two weekends ago, he did provide an assist for Pablo Barrios.