Diego Simeone has praised Julián Álvarez after Atlético Madrid's 2-0 Champions League win over Manchester United, saying the forward is getting closer to the player the club wants to see.
The Atlético coach's comments came after a result that showed the team's strength in Europe's premier competition. Álvarez has been working to find his best form since arriving at the club, and Simeone's remarks suggest the progress is being noticed inside the dressing room.
Simeone has long emphasized patience with attacking players who need time to adapt to his system, which demands intensity both with and without the ball. His assessment indicates that Álvarez is beginning to meet those demands while also contributing in front of goal.
For Atlético, a fully firing Álvarez would add another dimension to an attack that has depended on collective pressing and set pieces. The coming weeks will show whether the forward can translate his growing involvement into the consistent performances the coach is looking for.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing