Diego Pablo Simeone addressed the press after the team's draw against Betis, where he maintains the lead but continues to lose points with respect to Real Madrid, now the first pursuer.
Do you accept the tie as good?
The first half was very good, in the first minutes we were ahead of the scoreboard, we had two options to extend the advantage, starting with Correa, Saúl who stopped the goalkeeper, their goal came and I think before the rest we could have hurt more if we had accelerated the intensity of the attack. The second half was a game at the end of the season, they had counterattacks and Emerson's shot and we had to win the game. Very happy with the team's work, it annoys me that Correa can't score the goal, so he participates in the team's attacks, creating danger and he's at a stage where he can't get it. If he continues like this, the goal will come, because life and football is work and one day it pays, hopefully he will have what he deserves, which is the goal.
Can Atlético win the League?
I do not lie. I'm going game by game and I'm not going to change. I love this moment, I love it.
How did you see Betis?
The first half we were able to have a greater advantage before their draw and in the second we suffered. They play well, they attack with many people, with Canales, Joaquín, Tello, Fekir … a lot of footballers who play very well and it is the classic team of the coach, who likes a team that proposes and makes Betis play, I think the tie was deserved.
Everything is happening to them.
I'll tell you what happens in a league to date 30. The league started with Madrid and Barça irregular, we drew twice and won one in the first three days. Then we made a very good start with a very firm step, they started to recover very well, they faced each other and they could not win. Madrid remains very firm as in the Champions League and we have lowered a point of regularity. We will see what happens in this season finale. Hopefully we have passed that moment from today's draw.
The team gave everything.
I love it, because I have footballers who continue to give their souls. Vitolo hadn't played for how long? He entered a very important game. Lodi left the other day in the 30th minute, he came out with great enthusiasm, Herrera the same, Torreira the same and all that is positive for the team and the group. When the team works as a group in the long run the prize appears.
Do you need more legs or mental strength?
Goal. It is what ends up generating mental strength and giving you legs. I have not seen a team that is winning and is diluted, it generates energy and enthusiasm for you. Anxiety grows and we are growing, especially in the League. Last year was transitional and we are in a nice and beautiful place that we have to sustain. We need to build strength to maintain it.
Is it worth them with the heart?
It is clear that when positive situations do not appear, you need the heart to appear. The team showed solidarity, the return on the counterattack play that Koke ended up taking out and those are things that go beyond the legs. We are in a moment of resistance, I like that word as it happens to us in this moment that we are living, there we are resisting.
He previously attended Movistar + LaLiga
Many casualties. “We always value what there is. We have to get a point, we were looking for the three of us and to continue fighting game by game. We continue working in the same way, with a group to sustain the game, with many boys who came with a few minutes and it is not easy to get in. I would have liked a goal from Correa, he does a huge job with his game, unfortunately he can't hit the mark to round off a game where he is the protagonist. He was in the goal, with his centers, with his second half and he abroncos me a lot ” .
João Félix. “Surely the injury he has is not easy, he has been dragging a pain that does not let him play free. He had to leave, we hope that he will make an effort to be able to come and help us next weekend. Last week he could not have been against him. Sevilla due to injury. We need him, in the first half he was fine, Carrasco too, Saúl and Koke… “.
Koke says they need mental strength. “The team captain ends by expressing the general feeling, it is a very competitive League with Madrid and Barça starting irregular and we are very strong, they are now very strong, we are irregular and I love this moment. It is important and beautiful and it is what we want as coaches, taking care of the place where we have “.
Win LaLiga. “We are prepared to play a good game next date.”