Savic: “We are with Simeone and we will follow him until death”

When Stefan Savic (8-1-1991, Montenegro) speaks, the locker room listens. The Montenegrin, fourth captain, is one of the authorized voices to analyze the situation of Atlético and the return of the Champions League to the Wanda Metropolitano. The center-back is sure of the defensive quality of the squad and he only sees a way out of the current situation: work. With blind faith in Simeone “until death”, Savic reviews the bad numbers behind, Cristiano’s visit, the health of the dressing room and his love for the red and white colors.

They added an important victory in Pamplona to gain strength before the Champions League.

Yes, it is very important for us to regain confidence and do it with our DNA, which is to keep the strength behind and be forceful up front.

It is the first clean sheet for visitors since May.

We come in a strange season, it seemed that every shot went in and that is partly bad luck, but it is also that we are not as forceful in our area as before. We are working and we are going to get out of that problem.

Why is it taking so long this season not to fit in?

I do not know. This year, looking at the first 20 games, we were the team that had the fewest shots on goal, but almost everything went in and it really is also a bit of bad luck, but also defensive relaxation as a team. We are working and Pamplona was a good example of how we have to defend.

Simeone has spoken of a lack of concentration.

If it can be. We are all in this, trying to solve this problem, because so many goals are not normal.

Does it create insecurity?

We are the same players more or less than last season. I think it’s just a matter of time. The other day was a good example, this team has the quality to be as strong as before.

The injuries, the coronavirus, sanctions… It is proving difficult to have continuity.

Luck has not been on our side with the injuries. We have had many important players out for a long time, you cannot count on the entire squad and that has also influenced this irregularity this season.

The setbacks have been concentrated in the center of the defense.

That’s it. I’ve been out for two months, Giménez too, I’ve had a four-game ban in the Champions League, Trippier has left, we’ve had more injuries with defenders and everything has influenced us to be more irregular than years ago.

How do you see the tie against Manchester United?

at 50%. It’s a great team, they have a lot of history in the Champions League and they have very good players, a very strong squad and we have our chances too. I see the tie very open.

You have great strikers like Cristiano and Cavani, are you worried about wide crosses and set pieces?

We are concerned. We know their virtues, they have very fast players on the wing and they have strikers who move well in the box. We are aware that they are going to play that way and we are ready.

Does playing against Cristiano especially motivate you?

Especially not. It’s always good to play against great champions, but in Champions there are players at the highest level and that doesn’t change us.

Is there respect towards your figure?

Of course there is respect, like towards all the great players in the world and he is one of the greats in history. But nothing more.

You played for Manchester City, how do you remember that stage?

It was a very important stage for me, because I went there directly from the Serbian league and it was a big step in my career. Looking back, I may not have been ready for the Premier League at the time, it was a very big leap. But it was a very good experience for me, I played just over 20 games and it helped me gain experience, grow as a footballer and as a man. At that time I didn’t see myself ready to play there and I decided to go to Italy. It came in handy for me and I grew a lot for three years and it helped me to sign for Atlético.

Not since Liverpool before the pandemic has a Champions League tie been played at the Wanda Metropolitano, the fans are with you.

We expect a stadium like our people have always been. It’s an incredible crowd, they always give us an extra boost in every game and it’s going to be an unforgettable night for sure.

Is there much difference to playing with empty stands?

Yes, it is very noticeable. With our people it’s much better, we feel a lot of support from our fans.

Can this Atlético win the Champions League?

I do not know. Let’s think about that tie first and in football everything is possible.

Years go by, are you obsessed with winning it?

Personally, I’ve been obsessed with it since I was little. My dream was to win the Champions League one day and here you are closer to fulfilling that dream. I really was close in that final in Milan, the following year we reached the semifinal, other years in the quarterfinals and being here fights to win it. We know how difficult it is, we will always try and I am sure that this club deserves it and one day it will win in the very near future. I’m sure.

In Simeone’s documentary he says that after listening to him he is ready to go out and kill someone. Does his message still get through?

I have no doubts about the coach or this team. He is always the same, always very motivated, very focused to be successful with this team and we are all behind him and we are going to follow him until death.

How is the locker room?

Very well and very united, as was seen in Pamplona. This is the way to go, I have no doubt. Work, without words outside, only work in the field, because it is the only way to get out of this moment of difficulty that we have had.

As captain, would you tell the club that you want Simeone for many more years?

I do not have any doubt. I’ve been here at the club for seven years, always with the coach, he’s an incredible coach who has had a lot of success with Atlético and there’s no need to talk about that. I have a lot of confidence in him and I am sure that we will all get out of this situation together.

In the Champions League, he missed four games due to suspension, then Felipe two, now Carrasco three… Is UEFA very harsh on Atlético?

I don’t even want to talk about that, because I’ve already been out for four games. I don’t want to say anything else because we all know how tough they are in the Champions League and it’s better not to talk.

The defensive line has been changing between the three and the two centrals. How do you feel more comfortable?

I feel very comfortable in both systems. I already played with three central defenders at Fiorentina for three years, then I came here playing 4-4-2 and I am really comfortable with both systems. The other day we went back to the three and it went very well. The coach will decide in each game how we are going to face it.

You are a history of the club, did you imagine this?

To tell you the truth, I always tell my friends that if someone told me when I arrived that I was going to be here seven years in a row, it seemed impossible. But I feel at home, I’m comfortable, and, in addition to Montenegro, this is my home.

And in the future is he linked to Atlético?

Of course, I will always be linked to Atlético. If it is not working in the club, it will be like one more fan until death.

Has Trippier’s departure affected you?

It has changed us, that’s for sure. The truth is that we did not expect her to come out, but she had that opportunity and we have to accept it. We have brought Wass, who was unlucky enough to get injured in the first game, and in that position we have Vrsaljko, who is an important player for us, now he is physically well and can help us a lot. We also have Llorente, who can contribute in that place and with the return of Wass we will be well covered in that position.

Reinildo is telling a lot.

I see you very well. He is a very fast player, very good in the defensive phase and has adapted very quickly. He started playing when he had only three or four training sessions, he has participated in the last few games and I really see him very well.

In the personal section, how is Savic off the field?

I am someone who gives everything on the field, but I am calmer outside. I have that strong character that is part of me as a person, but off the pitch I am a bit calmer. We also don’t have much free time, because we play every three days. I like to rest, watch movies and I am very focused on the rest of the season.

What message would you give to the fans?

That they trust us as they have done so far, because we are going to get out of this situation as we demonstrated the other day. That they have no doubts and support us as they have done so far.