Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has opened up about chats with frustrated striker Luis Suarez after the striker’s furious outburst in a recent La Liga defeat.
Suarez was enraged when substituted in a recent league loss at Sevilla and walked off shouting “f****** idiot, always the same” – which appeared to be directed at Simeone.
In the aftermath of that incident Simeone told reporters that there was “nothing to comment on” as he aimed to swiftly move on from the episode.
With the Uruguayan striker out of contract at the end of the current campaign, speculation has intensified that he will leave as a free agent in June.
Simeone has now referenced the incident for the first time – a month after it occurred – to explain that he has had conversations with the striker.
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Suarez has scored seven La Liga goals this season – a respectable return – but is struggling to find his best output with a recent report claiming he snubbed the chance to join Italian giants Juventus.
The 34-year-old striker is in a prolonged rut of form, which has seen him net just once in his last 13 appearances for club and country – a run stretching back to early November.
In fact, the only time that Suarez has found the net was against third-tier Spanish side Rayo Majadahonda in last month’s Copa del Rey clash.
There have been concerns over the striker’s form and growing calls for him to lose his place in the Atleti XI with competition from the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Joao Felix for a starting spot.
Simeone told reporters on Tuesday: “We have spoken with Luis for two months about what I think of him, of how important he is for us and the situations that we create for him and without him on the pitch.
“What I think of him, he knows it and I didn’t speak to him after Sevilla, I have spoken to him for two months.”
With just eight goals across 25 matches in La Liga and the Champions League this campaign, Suarez has dipped below a goal every three games and for a player of his profile, this is hindering Simeone’s side.
The Uruguayan is a predatory penalty-box goal scorer and without goals, his place in the side will come under increasing scrutiny.
Suarez is keen to play a starting role for his nation in this year’s World Cup – which is expected to be his last – and he will want to ensure he is playing regular first-team football.
Atleti’s results this campaign are significantly worse off too; despite having a game in hand over Real Madrid, they sit a whopping 16 points behind their city rivals and are languishing in fourth spot.
