MADRID, 25 Jan. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The coach of Atlético de Madrid, Diego Pablo Simeone, has assured that despite the painful elimination of Copa del Rey against Cultural Leonesa he continues to be “excited” with the team, to which he dedicates his “life”, and explained that this Sunday before Leganés they must improve “the accuracy of face to goal”.
“The team always occupies me continuously, not in the moments that we have to lose or win. Many times it is difficult for me to sleep for a formation before a final, because I don't know whether to put one or the other … Atlético de Madrid, and the people around me know it. We continue along the same lines, excited, knowing that we live from day to day and that the game by game will not generate any change in my life, “he said press.
In addition, the Argentine coach said that both the elimination copera and defeat in the Spanish Super Cup are “difficult defeats” and that all criticism “is fair.” “I am convinced of what I said after the game: I absolutely believe in my players, we put together an important team, with players who will respond to the objectives we have set ourselves from the beginning,” he said.
“I do not move from game to game, it makes us be convinced of what we want. We must understand and accept the criticism, especially when they are fair. Tomorrow we hope to have a good game against an opponent who is doing things very well since the arrival of the coach. It will be tough, like all the matches in the Spanish league, “he added about the duel against Leganés.
In this sense, the 'Cholo' is clear about the key point that should be improved. “What concerns me most of all is the precision in the face of goal, that is what always ends up reflecting the moments of the teams. If we had converted the amount the amount of situations we have generated, it would be much simpler. From not converting you have to have absolute defensive security, which we have not had, and that generates defeat, “he said.
However, he recalled that both against Eibar and against Cultural had “10-11 clear goal situations and four hand in hand.” “It will come. I do not understand another way to continue generating situations. We have to try to strengthen the defensive part because, although they do not like it, it is what ends up being what gives us the security to have a result,” he said.
All this looking to “boost” your template. “If we go two years ago, we did not generate so many goal situations. Two years ago the associative game did not have it either, but we were more forceful. That team needed less transitions and to be more forceful, and this one needs another form of play and that way we are, which is the transition, “he analyzed.
“We can always give more all, we as coaches and football players. We now have the return of Lemar, Costa is not there yet, and we try to get closer to the Camel, Ivan-Saponjic-, João Félix, who can give us Angel -Correa- attack situations … In goal situations we have always been on the same level, but we have to be more forceful. That appears when there is more confidence and more peace of mind, “he said.
Precisely, it has been modest teams that have made Simeone suffer the most as coach of Atlético. “It happened until the year we left champions, that we lost with Almeria and Levante, and they both descended. It is very difficult after eight years to find an explanation,” he said.
On the other hand, he refused to talk about the voices calling for his dismissal, but also the criticisms of the game of players like Saul or Thomas after the copera elimination. “The opinions of my soccer players I talk with them in the locker room, with you I listen to them. If I have something to say, I tell them when we are together,” he said.
Finally, he was glad of the messages of support that during these days have circulated in social networks. “I had not seen it, the press people told me. Everything that is spontaneous and natural is always very healthy. It is appreciated and strengthens the security and enthusiasm that I always have every day here in the club,” he concluded.