Diego Simeone has asked the Atletico Madrid supporters to give Raul Jimenez time to adapt to La Liga after another goalless game.
Jimenez was signed from Mexican club America over the summer but has yet to get on the score sheet for the champions.
He started the 2-2 draw against Celta Vigo but was withdrawn before full time and speaking after the match, Simeone said he felt Jimenez had played well.
“I liked Raul’s performance today. He played with his back to goal and had chances, which is what you ask of a forward,” AS reports Cholo as saying.
“Hopefully people we start to appreciate him soon. You must score to win people over, with dedication and goals. Today he had chances and he’s getting close.
“His position was similar to that which he normally occupies. He and Antoine Griezmann made good combinations and he held the ball well.
“I liked his performance and I hope the fans have patience so he can stay confident.”
Simeone was also asked about the decision to withdraw Griezmann, who went off just past the hour mark.
The Coach insisted the reasoning behind introducing Raul Garcia was purely tactical, suggesting that not everyone understood the situation of the game at that point.
“I don’t have to justify anything. We saw, for those who thought differently, we were going to put a lot of balls into the penalty area and wanted to put more players in there,” Simeone explained.
“The game wasn’t decided by that and we felt it was the best chance of winning and not losing.”
Celta levelled the score through a penalty and Simeone, banned from the touchline as a legacy of incidents in the Supercopa, was asked about the decision to award the spot kick.
“The officials had a great game,” was all the Argentine would say on the matter.
