Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has assured Jackson Martinez that “I have the same patience with him as everyone else”.
Injuries and a lack of form have hindered Jackson's debut season at the Vicente Calderon, but his Coach insists he is happy with his efforts in recent matches and will consider him for Sunday's trip to Celta Vigo in La Liga.
“We have good players who improve the team and the club,” he said at a Press conference.
“Eleven players will start and the rest must be ready for what might happen in the game.
“Sometimes you start with players because you're approaching the game in a certain way, but then it's whoever comes on later who makes the difference. That's what sets great teams apart.
“We think [the game] will go ahead and I'm not thinking about anything else.
“Celta are working very well under [Eduardo] Berizzo. They are very competitive and have a very clear idea [of playing].
“They press a lot defensively and have a lot of speed in attack, with players who can make things happen.
“We'll be waiting while they try to bear the weight of the game, in the manner which has allowed them to have the season they've had, but we hope to take the match to where we want.
“I'm very happy with Jackson [Martinez]. He's scored the same number of goals as [Fernando] Torres, [Luciano] Vietto and [Angel] Correa, despite having played less than them, so we expect important things from him.
“He assisted [Antoine] Griezmann at Vallecas, played well with his back to goal against Levante and had chances. I have the same patience with him as everyone else.
“We're only thinking of ourselves. The second half of the season will be difficult as [Real] Madrid and Barcelona both have excellent players, whom are more likely to win [the title].
“[On Augusto Fernandez starting against his former team], I've yet to pick my team, so we'll see.”
