Soccer Football - LaLiga - Athletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid - San Mames, Bilbao, Spain - August 31, 2024 Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde and Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone are seen before the match REUTERS/Vincent West
(Reuters) - Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone heaped praise on his substitutes Angel Correa and Alexander Sorloth who combined for the goal that secured a hard-fought 1-0 LaLiga victory at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
Following a lacklustre display in a dour home goalless draw against lowly Espanyol on Wednesday, Simeone said the win at a tough place like Bilbao showed the depth of Atletico's squad.
"We have the squad to play in different ways with very adaptable and versatile players," Simeone told a press conference.
"Against Espanyol we had the chances but we didn't convert. Today we played the game we wanted to play, strong at the back and those who came off the bench were key, like Sorloth, who made a great recovery to set up Correa's goal.
"The substitutes gave the team a lot more energy. We needed to be more precise up-front because it was clear that we could do some damage. That's what happened in the second half."
Simeone said he is not worried about new signing Julian Alvarez settling into his new club. The former Manchester City forward has yet to score in four games at Atletico.
"Let's be calm." he said. "Julian (Alvarez) is extraordinary and will help us a lot. It took a while for (Antoine) Griezmann to settle in... Julian (Alvarez) is not Antoine but soon we will find what we want, his first goal..."
Atletico are second in the standings on eight points, four behind leaders Barcelona.
(Reporting by Fernando Kallas, editing by Ed Osmond)
