Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has defended Julian Alvarez after the forward received a mixed reaction from supporters during their 2-0 Champions League victory over Manchester United on Tuesday.
Alvarez, the former Manchester City striker, was met with both cheers and whistles when he was substituted in the 71st minute at the Metropolitano, with some Atletico fans reportedly still frustrated by his attempts to force a move away from the club during the summer transfer window.
Despite the divided reaction, Simeone insisted the Argentine was improving and moving closer to meeting the expectations of Atletico supporters.
Simeone said: “The fans’ reaction is always related to what the players give.
“Julian is giving it; he already did it against Alaves, today he was close to scoring and he is closer to being the player that Atletico fans want to see.”
The Atletico manager also discussed the possibility of pairing Alvarez with Jonathan David in attack, dismissing the idea that the two forwards would have to compete for a single place in the starting line-up.
David came on as a substitute around the hour mark, before Alvarez was withdrawn 10 minutes later.
Simeone believes they can complement each other in the same attacking line-up.
He said: “They can also play together. It’s good to have high competition; it has always been important when we have won championships and important things.”
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Simeone also praised midfielder Johnny Cardoso for his performance, with the player impressing in the centre of the pitch throughout the match.
Cardoso was unlucky not to score after a first-half effort was ruled out following a video assistant referee (VAR) review, which identified a handball by team-mate Marcos Llorente during the build-up.
The midfielder has endured a difficult start to life in Madrid because of injuries but appears to be finding his rhythm in the starting line-up.
Simeone said: “He’s in great form. Against Real Sociedad, he came on and immediately started playing at a high level, the kind of player the club went looking for.
“Morten also came on well, which gives us options within a team that needs to rely on everyone.”
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