Diego Simeone's subtle dig at Atletico Madrid midfielder Gaitan

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has had a slight dig at his summer signing Nico Gaitan, suggesting the player is guilty of not always looking out for the team's best interestes. 

"He's a very important player who will find his best form over the course of the season," Simeone said, before adding that "the players have to search for what the team needs, not what they need individually." 

His full statement was: Gaitan is a very important player who surely will find his best form over the course of the season. 

"It is clear that all footballers need minutes and the coach must select the ones who he thinks will respond to what he's asking. 

"As a consequence of that, the players have to search for what the team needs, not what they need individually."

Gaitan, who returned from an injury over two weeks ago, is set to start in the Copa del Rey game against Guijuelo, alongside a heavily rotated team. 

"Playing time is playing time, regardless of the match you are playing," Simeone added. 

"I don't judge the players technically because all of them play well: what I do look at is their attitude, their capacity to work hard for the team, their integration into what the team needs..."