Atlético: Simeone has faith in strikers amid Giovanni links
Giovanni Simeone is reportedly an Atlético Madrid transfer target, but father Diego appears happy with the attackers at his disposal.
Diego Simeone dodged questions over his rumoured transfer interest in son Giovanni as he put faith in Atlético Madrid's existing strikers.
Atleti slipped to a 3-2 friendly loss to Paris Saint-Germain on Monday with Luciano Vietto and Kevin Gameiro culpable for missed chances.
French forward Gameiro last season produced his worst league scoring return in a decade with just seven goals, while Vietto netted only twice in a combined 20 LaLiga appearances for Atleti and Valencia.
"No comment," says Simeone after question over interest in son
Their struggles come amid rumours Simeone is attempting to sign his 23-year-old son Giovanni, who netted 14 times for Fiorentina in his second Serie A campaign in 2017/18.
When asked about Atleti's reported interest in Giovanni, Simeone responded: "No comment."
The head coach instead called for patience with his present crop.
"It is good to compete in games like that and the youngsters were very good again," Simeone said of Atleti's performance against PSG.
"We had a good first half without too much possession but with more direct play, but we still created some good scoring chances.
"I think we performed well, old and young. You find strength in creating chances and the team did that. We need patience and to keep working hard."
World Cup quartet set to boost ranks against Stuttgart
Atleti's stocks will be boosted by the availability of new signing Thomas Lemar for the friendly against Stuttgart on 5 August.
The match will also mark the return of Lemar's fellow World Cup participants Diego Costa, Koke and Saúl Ñíguez.