“João Félix has everything to be extraordinary, it depends on him”

Savic does not arrive, they are having a hard time keeping a clean sheet.

We always believe that the game is valued with respect to the team, not just in one line. A balance between all, when we form a staff we imagine that things can happen and we try to have spare parts in case they happen. There are times that accompany the results and others, like the four defeats in a row, we do not have them. We want the injured players to recover in the best way and while we use the other guys who are very excited to do things well.

Are you clear about another system change and play without a reference above?

They always watch the workouts and that’s fine so they know how to work. But they also know that we can change in the game, we look for alternatives, we talk with the footballers and we give the line-up on game day. We are looking for sensations, we are working on 4-4-2, I understood that yesterday it was good to work on 3-5-2 for tomorrow to decide and play an important game against a team that competes very well, with a strong intensity, a great job from Marcelino in Bilbao and all the games they play always broadcast it.

How do you see João Félix? Can you be a starter?

Of course it has possibilities. He is excited, like all his colleagues, and continuing to talk about João is repetitive. He has everything to be an extraordinary footballer, it will depend on him that he can demonstrate and sustain it, which is the most difficult thing.

How much need do you have for Giménez and Suárez?

We have had to win without the best José and without Luis. It is a state of mind of confidence, of the footballers who may be. Obviously because of their hierarchy, being they at a high level, they have a strength in both areas. But José needs the team to defend well and Luis to have forcefulness in the areas.

What is the reason for Correa’s growth?

Ángel is one of the best footballers that we have between the lines and in those turns of offensive transitions. His place is forward, he has always been since he arrived, but we have looked for another situation in the team and he with great effort has helped us especially as the right wing. But he feels comfortable as a striker, he is having continuity in work and in the goal and that is what is required of a forward when he plays.

What does the Spanish Super Cup mean to you?

I always say it, when you put on the Atlético shirt they are all important games. You are representing the club, the people and the only thing that matters to us is the game, improving and winning tomorrow’s game.

Koke: “Anything that is growing as a club will come in handy”

How do you see Oblak?

Jan we know what level of player he is. For me he is the best goalkeeper in the world. This year we are not having that fortune, every time they shoot us it ends in a goal or touches one and they score, but he is seen with enormous confidence. He is the second captain, he is very important and we see him strong. His senses are focused on continuing to add, improve and help the team. It is how we see him within the group and I personally.

Are you favorites against Athletic?

It’s going to be an intense, beautiful game, we know each other perfectly, we know his coach. I am concerned about how to enter the game, trying to do what our coach asks of us to try to win and that is what worries me. You put the favoritism issue on you, I want to have a great game, achieve what the coach asks of me and win the match.

Raúl García said that he does not like that it is played in Arabia.

For me all opinions are respectable. I respect the opinion of Raúl García. I am an Atlético player and everything I know how to make the club grow in terms of image is like this. You have to try to compete, help, it’s a semi-final, we can go to the final and we don’t think about where we play. All the fans are going to help us and whatever it means to grow as a club is going to be good for us.

How are you after passing the coronavirus?

Very well. Very excited to be able to play a semifinal of the Super Cup with great enthusiasm. I missed some training sessions, but I have been recovering them, measuring the times to enter, I already played 45 minutes against Rayo Majadahonda, I entered for half an hour against Villarreal in a game with a very high level and if I have to play I will try to help the team and if not I will try to do it from the outside. I am very excited, wanting to face the trophy.