Madrid-Diego Simeone praised Julián Álvarez as “the best player we have” after the striker scored a spectacular hat trick in the 3-2 victory of Atlético de Madrid over Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday.
Álvarez put Atlético ahead in the first half at the Metropolitan Stadium, before Pep Chavarría de Rayo was leveled with an impressive long distance blow in the part -time.
Then, visitors continued through Álvaro García, before two more goals from Álvarez, including an 88 -minute winner, he gave Atlético only his second victory in LaLiga this season.
– Mark your calendars: the first revealed classic date
– LaLiga – Live and next on ESPN+
“[Álvarez] It's very good, it's the best player we have, “Simeone told ESPN.” We have to take care of it, we have to help you be better. We need to have it here for many years in Atlético de Madrid, he is our player of difference. “
Álvarez had only scored one goal this season in Tuesday's game, and seemed unhappy to be replaced in the previous game of Atlético, a disappointing 1-1 draw in Mallorca, with the Spanish media claiming that he had complained “always me” after being retired.
“People said that in social networks, but it is more abroad than inside,” Álvarez told ESPN. “Everything is fine. Those were not the words I used. They were other words, rude words. I was angry with myself for how the game had gone. But these things always happen with the way social networks are today.”
Atlético's victory transforms mood into the club that enters one of the biggest games of LaLiga, Derby on Saturday with Real Madrid.
“Pure Football. Football is fantastic,” Simeone said. “That is the wonderful thing about this game. When it seems that everything is lost, faith, work and persistence, this joy gives you from time to time.”
“When you are in such a big club and you are not winning games, you feel pressure, not only from the outside, but of yourself, your teammates and the coach,” said defender Dávid Hakko to ESPN. “It's not easy when you think you're playing well, you're doing everything, but you're not winning games.”
The opponents of the Real Saturday are the best on the LaLiga table with maximum points so far this season, nine points ahead of Atlético.
“They are a team that has won the six games,” Simeone said. “They are in an incredible moment, and have decisive players throughout the field. They have grown compared to last season in their collective game. They are a great opponent.”
