Diego Simeone praised Jonathan David‘s “calm finishing” and said he brings “something different” to the team after the Canada forward scored his first goal for Atlético Madrid in a 3-0 win at Real Sociedad on Sunday.
The LaLiga game in San Sebastián was tied at 0-0 until the 84th minute, when Alejandro Grimaldo put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot.
David had been introduced by coach Simeone after an hour, and made it 2-0 in the 90th minute, before Giuliano Simeone added a third in added time.
David joined Atlético on loan from Juventus on deadline day, and has been limited to substitute appearances so far as he adapts to life in Spain.
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“It turned out well, but if it hadn’t I’d have been asked why I took off [Alex] Baena and Kang-in Lee,” Simeone said afterwards, when asked about his triple substitution — including David — which changed the game.
“I told Jonathan that he wouldn’t start the game, because [Ademola] Lookman and Kang-in Lee had played more together, but then Jonathan came on and did very well.
“It leaves us with very good feelings, because after the changes we had more rhythm, higher pressure, and better transitions.”
Atlético have lacked options in attack so far this season, with Julián Álvarez unavailable on Sunday with a muscular strain, and Alexander Sorloth absent since the World Cup.
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“Jonathan gives us more depth, and that gives the team something different,” Simeone said. “There’s always joy when you win. But there are also always things to improve, because we are in a process of construction.
“In the first half, they [Sociedad] had two chances and we had another two… In the second half, I don’t think they created any danger. Neither did we, until Jonathan’s first shot on goal, and then the penalty. Then Jonathan finished with calm, and Giuliano finished it off.”
Atlético now host Osasuna in midweek ahead of a derby with Real Madrid next weekend.
