Diego Pablo Simeone spoke to the media before the second game against Levante of the week. The coach loses Carrasco through injury, but recovers Lemar and Dembélé could even return. He also entered the debate of the week, Haaland or Mbappé, and acknowledges that he expects the best from Lodi.
What differences do you expect between the previous game with Levante and this one?
We will meet again with a team that plays very well, that has done it in different ways, pressing high, taking refuge behind to get out quickly, in 4-4-2, in 4-3-3, defense of five … It has many variants and solutions. We will seek to take the party where we believe we can do harm.
Agüero says that the press is from Madrid and Atleti has a small window left …
Since they have known me for years, I am very respectful of opinions. I do not think of what others think. I care about working and continuing to grow as a team.
Could Carrasco come to Chelsea? How is Lemar?
Yannick has a blow that has been dragging from Granada and he already played like that against Levante, that's why he came out (in the 66th minute), seeking to protect him. The coup continues and we will see how it evolves these days. The good news is that Lemar is here, we wait for Dembélé, who could possibly be there tomorrow, and to continue adding people to have them available as soon as possible.
Haaland or Mbappé?
They are two very great players, with different characteristics and they are even compatible to play together. Whoever can have them both together would have a great team.
“Lodi does very well in defense of four. That position (back) would have to do much better because he has depth, uncheck, center, he can score …”
How is the team physically?
We will see it. Beyond the perceptions that you and we have, what counts is reality. It will be the field who will tell us where we are.
Does Lodi look better with a defense of four or that of three centrals?
The position of Carrasco most Beautiful allows us, due to his qualities, to have a better transition and a higher depth with a defender who can be a side-on-exit and a band which is extreme in attack. Lodi, as a winger in four, does very well and, growing from day to day and when he has to play more often, he would have to do better in that position because he has arrival, depth, clearance, great center, average shot distance, he can have a goal … We need a little more space so that when it is his turn to play, hopefully he will convey what I say.
The team is looking at a lot of cards …
I interpret that the referees value what they see. It does not mean that by making fewer fouls you will see less yellow. Some fouls are interpreted as yellow, you may make four fouls and see four yellows. I respect the referees, for what they are living closely and the information they have from above.