MADRID, 8 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The coach of Atlético de Madrid, Diego Pablo Simeone, admitted this Tuesday that he feels “lucky” to “be the coach of a footballer like Griezmann”, in reference to the great game that the French striker played this Tuesday during the 6-0 Colchonera victory. against Cetic FC, on matchday 4 of the Champions League.
“He is one of the players with the most goals in the history of the club… and he is hungry. He understands well how to play internally [interior], and also attends and works. I am lucky to be the coach of a footballer like Griezmann. And the team also generates so that he shows everything he is worth,” highlighted ‘Cholo’ Simeone from the press room of the Cívitas Metropolitano stadium.
“I have no doubt that, when not everyone was so in agreement with his return, I was absolutely convinced that Griezmann was born to play for Atlético,” said Simeone regarding the passage in ‘Grizi’s professional career with the FC Barcelona shirt.
Thus, the Argentine coach reviewed how Griezmann had redeemed himself in front of the Colchonera fans. “In his career he did very well as a boy; then he left, he turned around and walked through that path where people felt uncomfortable because of his departure, but he reversed that situation,” he stressed.
“Comparisons are not good,” Simeone warned when asked if he sees ‘Grizi’ as Atlético’s best historical footballer. “But I have no doubt that, in Antoine’s remaining time at Atlético de Madrid, he will be one of the best the club has had in its history,” he added.
Furthermore, Simeone analyzed the duel against Celtic in general terms. “We started very well, we had a very high intention to be brave and put pressure on them in their field when we were still 11 against 11. We managed to reach the goal, we managed the process of the game well, especially in the dynamic forward pressures, with a good pace and that made the team feel comfortable,” he said.
However, he did not comment on the expulsion of Japanese forward Daizen Maeda in the 23rd minute. “It is difficult to play with one less and the rival maintained humility and the work of running a lot, of never playing long on goal kicks,” he praised the plan of the Scottish team.
“When we were 2-0 at halftime, we understood that we had to take a step forward and that’s why Llorente came in, to have more people on the wing and gain depth on the right. Then Lino came in very well, Saúl very well, Azpilicueta was very good, Söyüncü was very good in the time he had to play. And we ended up rounding off an important victory for us,” added the ‘Cholo’ during the press conference.
On the other hand, Álvaro Morata also garnered praise from his coach. “He can do it,” he pointed out about the goal of him reaching at least 18 goals in LaLiga. “He has always had goal situations, in previous years he has always been in numbers close to 18 goals,” he recalled.
In this sense, he added that Morata “is much calmer” and that “he is focused on being forceful in every option he has.” “He feels like an important player, like what he is, both for the Spanish team and for us. When a player gives us what he is giving us, we cannot demand less from him,” warned the ‘Cholo’.
Finally, the red and white coach assured that Rodrigo Riquelme and Samu Lino “are competing in a very nice way to see”, and that “the only one who wins with that is Atlético de Madrid”, as well as their fans for the pleasant image they They both leave their role as wingers.