Manager Diego Simeone said summer signings Julian Alvarez and Conor Gallagher need a bit of time to adapt with Atletico Madrid.
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Gallagher, Alvarez made their Atletico debut
Alvarez, 24, arrived at Metropolitano from Manchester City this summer.
The Argentina international scored 11 Premier League goals for City last season.
Alvarez played 81 minutes in Atletico’s 3-0 LaLiga win over Girona as a starter.
Meanwhile, Gallagher signed with Atletico just last week after a falling out with Chelsea, his boyhood club for 18 years.
The midfielder made his debut as a 58th-minute substitute.
Simeone assures that the pair will adapt
Simeone had nothing but praise for the debuting Gallagher and Alvarez.
The Argentine coach said Gallagher’s “enthusiasm and passion” should boost the team’s morale.
“[Gallagher] came on with a lot of energy,” Simeone said in his post-match news conference.
“That’s what we’ll get from him. He needs a bit of time to get used to opponents and to his teammates. With his enthusiasm and passion, we have to help him so that adrenaline is positive for the team.”
Meanwhile, Alvarez’s versatility gave Simeone the confidence to insert him into any role with the team.
“We know what Julian has, what he can give us,” Simeone said.
“We’ll try to take advantage of his qualities whether as a centre forward, a second forward or on the wing. We’re convinced we have an incredible player for the present and the future.
“At River [Plate] he was a number nine, with Argentina he was a number nine at the World Cup. At City [Erling] Haaland’s there, they shared [the position] or he played wide. He can play in different positions… We have him and Sørloth. I’ll have to figure it out.”
