Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has insisted that Colombian striker Jackson Martinez has the full backing of the club's coaching staff.
The 28-year-old forward, who has scored just one goal in six league games for Simeone's side, was substituted at half time in Atleti's 1-0 defeat away to Villarreal.
"Jackson is a very important player for us. We blindly trust him and expect him to appear in the important and decisive moments," the Argentinean coach told reporters following the loss.
On Atletico's performance, Simeone added: "The match was fairly clear. We knew from earlier matches that Villarreal is an ordered, worked team and that the details would decide the match.
"They took advantage of the situation in the first half. We pushed in the second half, but couldn't do it."
The Rojiblancos sit in fifth position in the La Liga table after the defeat, four points behind Marcelino's Villarreal side who currently occupy the top spot.
Colm Hayes
