Simeone appeared before the media in one of the most difficult press conferences of his life, the one that arrives just after having lost his father, Carlos Simeone. It happened during this March national team break. A press conference full of condolences and condolences in each of the questions that the coach thanked. A break that has come to an end. Nine days of the League remain ahead. Nine to confirm the flight, that the Atleti is another, or the usual one, the Atleti del Cholo. Simeone appeared, telematically from Cerro del Espino, to assess the first match of what is to come, of all that remains: Alavés, 9:00 p.m., tomorrow, Wanda Metropolitano.
-João, shoulder problems, how this is and what is the objective nine days: “Joao is fine. He today he has trained very well. The inconvenience was not noticed and he will be available tomorrow. We follow the path. We didn’t enter because we’re still in the one we’ve been considering since Osasuna, the League of 14. We’re up against a rival with many needs, like us. We know how he plays, with a high intensity, with a pressure that, when he manages to execute it, many balances come, he steals in the rival field. We must be very attentive. It’s an important match.”
-Vrsaljko and Wass, back, and how he frees Llorente: “It is clear that it is always important that everyone is available. Now Héctor (Herrera) has had an indisposition that will surely return soon, according to the doctor’s comments it is not that serious. But it is clear that, with everyone available, one could play more with what he or she creates best for each encounter. The return of Sime and of course Wass will give us options. Not to mention Marco, his most natural position is midfielder, like every last season”.
-Reinildo: “He arrived as a pure left-back but we noticed that his intensity, aggressiveness and defensive involvement could give us options to improve and, based on his presence, and improving intensity of the whole team, we began to achieve that important defensive strength, where we become strong. And, from that solidity, to play and generate talent, all the players, the team. His arrival is adding us up but there is enormous growth for everyone from Osasuna. Intensity, aggressiveness, commitment, recovering the ball the whole team, together.
-João, Griezmann, have you found your partner upstairs?: “I always look for balance. It would seem that this is forever but it is momentary. Today he is fine, responding to what the team needs. But we have Correa there, who has just done well with his team, Suárez, Cunha… And any of the five can do it in the best way according to their moment. I hope that, from my place, I can find the place for each one looking for them to be at their best. We live for today and we go behind what we see day by day”.
-Suarez: “The situation is that of any other who competes with another to be able to play. He is decisive and very important for us. He already gave it a great season at a great level. We expect more from him, of course, and that, when we need him, the team is there. We believe in him and we seek the best for the team and take advantage of the best moments of each one”.
-João, weight in eleven: “It will depend on what the field marks. The improvable thing is not the words but what marks the field. He feels very strong, he feels committed to what the team needs and we always want him to feel what we’re looking for and that’s why he’s playing”.
-Laporta confessed that he wanted it, that he likes it: “I live from day to day and I don’t find it surprising that a president as intelligent as Laporta speaks so perfectly about João, not at all”.
-Is it more difficult to think of an eleven when you have everyone available?: “No. We have been following a line, marking, that is giving us results. Today we understood, as you saw, that Suarez and De Paul, who came from long trips, worked like this, that Correa (sanctioned), since he is not going to play, trained separately, that Felipe, since he is not going to start, did reduced… That balances that They all arrive the same way. That everything is available is positive and makes you think more. The team is following a course that must be followed”.