‎Simeone backs Alvarez after wasteful display in Barcelona defeat

‎Diego Simeone has called for fans patience following Julian Alvarez’s wasteful display in Atletico Madrid’s 2-1 defeat to Barcelona on Sunday evening.

‎Alvarez came face to face with the club he wanted to join during the summer transfer window and it was an uneventful evening for the Argentina international.

‎The former Man City forward provided an assist but was guilty of squandering several high-quality chances.

‎Alvarez set up Giuliano Simeone for a 10th-minute breakthrough but squandered a clear one-on-one, saw a subsequent effort saved, and later lifted a lob onto the roof of the net.

‎Barcelona capitalized on the missed chances. Fermin Lopez equalised just before the break and fired home the winner in the 66th minute following a smart pass from Lamine Yamal.

‎With fans not pleased with Alvarez display, Simeone quickly defended his forward.

Julian Alvarez laments during the match between Atletico de Madrid and Barcelona (Photo By Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images)

‎”Julian had a good game,” Simeone explained in his post-match press conference. “As well as the chances he had, he was also involved in several other attacking moves.

‎”On top of setting up Giuliano’s goal, he also delivered a cross for [an Alex] Baena [chance]. We all wanted him to get that goal, but we’ll be patient with him because he’s a great player.

‎”We love him and, if we’re going to achieve what we want to achieve, we need Julian at his best – otherwise we won’t get there.”

‎Simeone refused to criticise his squad, however, pointing to their dominant early spells. “It was an extraordinary performance,” he added. “I cannot fault the players. It was the game we wanted to play, pressing well in the first half with good intensity.

‎”On this occasion, we were not as clinical as we have been on other days. Barça are very good in that sense. They had fewer clear chances, but were clinical with the ones they had.”

‎Sunday’s defeat leaves Atletico Madrid sitting third in the table, five points adrift of Barcelona and trailing second-placed Real Madrid heading into the international break.