Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone backed struggling attacker Antoine Griezmann to start delivering as he looked ahead to Saturday's La Liga clash with Cordoba at the Estadio Vicente Calderon.
Griezmann has yet to score in nine La Liga appearances, six of them starts, since joining Atletico from Real Sociedad for 30 million euros in the summer, but has scored twice in three Champions League games.
Simeone told his prematch press conference on Friday that the France international, 23, was being asked to become more of an all-round player at Atletico
"I speak with [Griezmann] a lot," he added. "He is very young, and is adapting to a different system.
"He is a winger, and we think he can be a more complete player. He has agreed to commit himself to this. We are trying to take advantage of his qualities: diagonal runs, turns, pace.
"It will take time, but we need the youngster to begin to be a man and be an important player."
#INSERT type:image caption:Griezmann has struggled since his arrival from Real Sociedad. END#
Defending champions Atletico go into Saturday's game two points off the top of the Primera Division table following Sunday's 1-0 win at Getafe, but Simeone said: "We do not stop to look and see how many teams there are in particular positions.
"This is a key stage of the season to pick up points, which will later determine who is up to the top of the table. We are not yet at the level we can be."
Cordoba travel to the Calderon still looking for a first win of the season -- a situation that has already cost last season's promotion-winning coach Albert Ferrer his job.
They drew 1-1 at home with Real Sociedad in new coach Miroslav Djokic's first game in charge, and Simeone said: "The other day, against La Real, they played well and were brave.
"I imagine tomorrow the team will have the same characteristics. We know that Djukic's teams always try to play good football, to have possession, and Cordoba will have the same idea."
Simeone said that controversy over this week's La Liga awards, in which no Atletico player was recognised but Cristiano Ronaldo won three accolades, was not uppermost in his thoughts, adding: "To play in front of these fans is the best prize."
Atletico captain Gabi has recovered from a knock and is set to start in midfield, with Raul Garcia likely to make way.