Atletico hope Simeone has answers after familiar frustrations return

Atletico Madrid may need time to adjust after a summer of change but even this early in the season old problems are casting doubts over their Spanish title challenge.

After 77 attritional minutes at the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday, Alvaro Morata darted to the near post and headed in Renan Lodi's cross for a 1-0 win over Bayern Leverkusen in the Champions League that all but secured qualification.

After the game, Morata delivered a firm response to those criticising the team and their coach, Diego Simeone.

"People on the outside say we are going through a bad time," said Morata, who arrived on loan in the summer.

"But in La Liga we are three points off the top and in the Champions League we have seven points from three games. If this is a bad time, I wish all the bad times were like this."
"In the end we have to use that and focus on the group, which is our strength, and follow him."
After their 1-1 draw against Valencia on Saturday, Simeone said: "There are some who look to blame others and some that want to work. Only the latter will get on with me."
- 'Talented players' -
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Diego Costa brings passion but with two goals this season, one from the penalty spot, and four in just over a year, the more pressing question is does he bring anything else?
"But when you have a team that defends well, the rest will come together because we have talented players."