Simeone supports Griezmann and Suarez to end poor scoring for Atletico

Diego Simeone

, the coach of

, has supported "one of the best in the world"

to reclaim his form, while also expressing his support for Luis Suarez, who has been struggling recently.

Simeone's team is currently fourth in LaLiga, four points ahead of fifth-placed

Real Betis

, and looks certain to qualify for the Champions League. In the absence of injured Joao Felix, Griezmann's form and out-of-favor

has come under examination.

Griezmann has scored just three LaLiga goals in 21 appearances this season, averaging one goal every 448 minutes, and has gone scoreless in his previous eight league outings. But, as Atletico prepares to face Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, Simeone thinks that the France international only needs one goal to rebuild his confidence.

"Antoine hasn't been converting goals in recent games, and his performances haven't been what he's used to," Simeone said at a pre-game press conference on Friday. He is one of the most prolific goal scorers in Atletico's history... I have no doubt that he will get out of this predicament because he constantly works and is always committed to the team's collective job.

"Griezmann is one of the best players in the world; all he needs is a goal to give him confidence. We'll see the Griezmann we've seen in recent years as a result of that."

Only Fernando Torres (102 goals in 281 games) has scored more goals for Atletico in LaLiga history than Griezmann, who has 97 goals in 201 appearances for the club.

Simeone has been concerned about Suarez's form, with the Uruguayan making only cameo appearances and scoring just twice in his last seven league games (both against Alaves). Suarez, a former Liverpool and Barcelona talisman, is still Atletico's joint-top scorer this season, with 11 LaLiga goals only equaled by Angel Correa, and Simeone is hopeful that the Uruguayan will regain his form soon.

"I have no doubt that Luis will always score goals with his teammates, whether he plays for the Uruguayan squad... because he can score," Simeone stated. Hopefully, whether he starts or comes in late in the game, he will leave an impression on them. It's what he desires, how he feels, and how he survives."

Suarez has not scored in his last five away games in the Spanish top division, despite scoring in both of his previous outings to San Mames in LaLiga — both in 2015 with Barcelona. It remains to be seen whether Suarez can regain his confidence against Marcelino's side, but Simeone is aware that the Basque side would be a difficult opponent.

"Marcelino is a great coach who gets his players to play well, which makes them difficult to face," he concluded. "Also, whenever we've played him, he's fielded strong sides, which are usually stacked with talented footballers. "This signifies that the matches are close because of the characteristics of Marcelino's team. I can't think of a match that isn't close."

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