Diego Simeone believes Alvaro Morata did an ‘important job’ on his Atletico Madrid debut despite the side falling to a 1-0 defeat at Real Betis. Chelsea have agreed to loan Morata to Atletico until the end of the 2019/20 campaign after a disappointing one-and-a-half year spell for the 26-year-old striker at Stamford Bridge. Morata only managed five league goals under Maurizio Sarri in the first half of this season and is hoping for a fresh start at Atleti, where he came through as a youngster in the club’s academy. However, Morata was unable to find the net on on Sunday afternoon as Simeone’s side were defeated for the first time in 19 matches. Betis held on for a hard-fought victory after Sergio Canales slotted home a 65th-minute penalty.
Asked about Morata’s debut, Simeone replied: ‘I’m talking about the team. There were few occasions for the two [Morata and Antoine Griezmann]. ‘We could not find solutions when the game grew to a close. Morata had an important job in his first game. Let’s hope he continues to contribute.’
The result leaves Atletico six points adrift of first-placed Barcelona but Simeone was in a positive mood after the match. ‘I see it differently,’ Simeone replied when asked if he was disappointed that Atleti failed to make up any ground on Barca. ‘I am optimistic and the good thing is that Barcelona drew.’
