MADRID, 30 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The coach of Atlético de Madrid, Diego Pablo Simeone, showed this Tuesday his “respect” for Xavi Hernández's decision to leave the FC Barcelona bench at the end of the season, although he insisted that he does not have “so much time to think about things a rival”, at the same time that he revealed that there is “still” no signing signed in defense, after the departure of the Turkish Çaglar Söyüncü.
“I never give my opinion on the decisions of my colleagues, I am very respectful of what he has decided. I don't have time to think so many things about a rival,” said the Argentine in the press conference prior to the duel this Wednesday (9:00 p.m.) against Rayo Vallecano.
This is how the red and white coach assessed Xavi's announcement to leave FC Barcelona at the end of the season, after losing in the Cup and Super Cup and losing in the League against Villarreal. And he compared it to his 12 years in the mattress club. “We don't talk about what we do. We try to make things clear with the facts and think about the day to day as we have always thought,” he commented.
“We need to think about Rayo on Sunday, on Wednesday with Athletic, and then when we play again, on Thursday, right? I thought we were playing on Thursday again,” the coach said ironically regarding the calendar saturated with games.
In addition, he assessed Atlético's options in the winter market, which closes this Thursday. “As always, we speak with Andrea (Berta, sports director), above all, and Miguel (Ángel Gil Marín) to always try to compensate for the team's situations. There is still no specific situation for anyone and when there is we will comment on something specific, if necessary. there is,” he commented after information linking the Valencia player Gabriel Paulista with the red and white team.
The arrival of Moise Kean from Juventus is not closed either, after Ángel Correa's departure for Saudi Arabia has not been closed at the moment. “I'm talking about those who are there, which is Ángel in this case. I have no other information regarding Kean. I see Ángel training well, he is very eager, I see him happy and I hope he continues to accompany us and continues to give us important moments, because has always given them to us,” he said.
“Depay is progressing, he is an important player for us, he has a lot of very good things. He needs minutes, I hope we can generate those minutes for his progression, so that he continues at the moment in which he is, growing,” he also stated. on the Dutch forward, another option for Simeone in attack, with Álvaro Morata with discomfort.
Belgian Arthur Vermeeren could also have his first opportunity against Rayo, who “is training well” after participating in two sessions “with the group.” “He has a lot of desire, a lot of enthusiasm and we will see tomorrow what we decide,” he said.
Another of the names at the press conference was Reinildo Maldava, in good form after returning from the Africa Cup and already making his debut as a starter against Valencia. Although he will rotate with a Mario Hermoso, when the rival plays with bands that play “s*s inside.” “If there is a faster rival, Reinildo could possibly control him better,” he praised.
Finally, Simeone avoided commenting on Koke's renewal, so as not to position himself “on one side or the other.” “I hope that, in the best way, the club and the footballer do what is best for the club and for the team,” he concluded.