Simeone: “I don’t think João left angry…”

Diego Pablo Simeone attended the media after the victory against Rayo Vallecano. The Atlético coach valued his team’s performance, especially in defense.

The team has taken out the old book of 0-1

In the first half we showed situations of control, of playing the game we wanted, dominating the second ball, playing in his field, looking for his losses and situations like the one Griezmann had. Ene the break we talked about having a little more calm from midfield forward to generate more forcefulness. He appreciated Koke’s great goal and what they saw, a tough game, Rayo competes like this until the end.

Good defensive performance. Have you found what he was looking for?

The team has grown as a whole and from then on the individuals are giving a very good level: Lodi, Reinildo, Savic, Giménez, Llorente, Herrera, Kondogbia, the return of Koke, the good games of De Paul, the work of Griezmann and Joao, the anger of not being able to count on Correa due to the injury… The best thing is to accept that the team is strong when it works together.

How do you see Koke?

It is repetitive to talk about Koke. His personality, his figure, his hierarchy, his tranquility… He goes through bad times, he reverses them, when he has them he assumes it, it is difficult for him to recover his rhythm, but in his continuous and regular game he gives us stability and tactical positioning. He is one of the important players.

Do you like to see that rebelliousness of João when they change him?

I don’t think he came out angry. He had just made an important effort and Correa and Suárez were waiting.