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Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has encouraged struggling striker Julián Álvarez to keep working and improving ahead of the team’s crucial UEFA Champions League clash against Manchester United on Tuesday.
The Premier League giants travel to the Spanish capital looking to build on an emphatic opening-day rout of Sabah, while Atletico find themselves seeking a response after losing their first league phase fixture away at Liverpool.
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Álvarez has endured a slow start to the campaign for Los Rojiblancos, failing to find the back of the net this season following a turbulent summer that saw him attempt to force a move away from the club to Spanish champions Barcelona.
Despite the rocky start, which included hitting the post as a substitute in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Alavés that lifted Atletico to second in La Liga, Simeone remains fully supportive of the Argentine forward.
“I think strikers with Julián’s characteristics always need goals, not just him,” Simeone said.
“It’s true that beyond his finishing, he’s a team player, a player that can link very well, he can assist, and he’s got many more tools than just goalscoring.”
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Although Álvarez managed to score for Argentina during a friendly against Burkina Faso in the recent international break, he has still drawn blanks across five appearances for his club. However, his manager remains confident the turning point is near.
“He had a good second half in Saturday’s game and we hope that he can keep growing and arriving at the place where we all want to see him,” Simeone added.
