Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has urged striker Julian Alvarez to continue improving as he looks to end his goal drought ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League showdown with Manchester United.

The English side travel to the Spanish capital hoping to build on their emphatic opening-day victory over Sabah, while Atletico Madrid are looking to bounce back after losing their opening league-phase match against Liverpool.

Former Manchester City forward Alvarez has endured a difficult start to the campaign and is yet to score for Atletico this season. His slow start follows a summer in which he reportedly sought a move to Spanish champions Barcelona.

“I think strikers with Julian’s characteristics always need goals, not just him,” Simeone told reporters on Monday.

However, the Atletico boss highlighted the Argentine’s contribution beyond scoring, praising his ability to link up with teammates and create opportunities.

“It’s true that beyond his finishing, he’s a team player, a player that can link very well, he can assist, and he’s got many more tools than just goalscoring,” Simeone added.

Alvarez came close to breaking his drought on Saturday, hitting the post after coming on as a substitute against Alaves. Atletico secured the victory to climb to second place in La Liga.

“He had a good second half in Saturday’s game, and we hope that he can keep growing and arriving at the place where we all want to see him,” Simeone said.

The 26-year-old found the net for Argentina during a friendly against Burkina Faso over the recent international break, but he has gone five matches without scoring for his club.

The Champions League final is scheduled to take place at Atletico’s Metropolitano Stadium in June, but Simeone insisted his attention remains firmly on the immediate challenges ahead.

“Reality is the day-to-day, game by game,” the Argentine coach said.

Atletico head into the clash in encouraging form, having won their last four matches. Manchester United, by contrast, have struggled for consistency and are winless in their last four games across all competitions since defeating Sabah.

Under Michael Carrick, United have also endured their worst start to a Premier League season in 40 years.

Despite the contrasting form of the two sides, Simeone expects a demanding encounter and warned his players that they will need to manage their energy carefully.

“The game will be long, it will be tough, and we have to manage our efforts to compete well,” he insisted.