MADRID, 17 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Atlético de Madrid coach Diego Pablo Simeone made it clear that he is always “open” to any request that a player may make, such as Joao Felix and a possible desire to leave the club in January, but assured that the Portuguese “is an important piece” and that his situation does not differ too much from what happens to him in the Portuguese team, asking him to “repeat more” what he offered in the past derby.
“I always understand everything and I am open to everything. The important thing is always the team and Joao is an important piece for our team,” Simeone settled this Friday at a press conference prior to the game against Sevilla, asked about a possible request to leave of the footballer in the winter market.
The Argentine recalled that the Portuguese striker must “repeat performances like the one he had at the Bernabéu” to gain more continuity. “He had a great second half where he showed all the talent he has and hopefully he will repeat it more times because that is the footballer we need,” he admitted.
The ‘Cholo’ pointed out, without revealing details, that he has already spoken “many times” with the Portuguese and warned that in him he sees “a very good footballer who happens a bit the same as with his selection where many times he does not start from the beginning and ends up playing. ” “There is not much difference. He has to improve and show his worth because it is clear that the coaches want to win,” he stressed.
In this sense, he stressed that his mission as a coach is “to improve all footballers, but always thinking about what the team needs.” “Joao has conditions that only seeing him for a few minutes does one realize that he is a great footballer. Now, he will have to go through these growth situations to rebel and position himself,” said the mattress coach.
On an individual level, Simeone also spoke of the Mexican midfielder Héctor Herrera, who is having a few minutes. “I have no doubt about the way in which he trains and accompanies and respects his teammates, he should have more minutes as he deserves,” he confessed.
On the other hand, the former player considered that despite the defeat in the derby, the team did “many good things”, but that it made “mistakes against a team that is in a great moment, especially forcefulness”, and also warned of that this Saturday a “tough and strong rival at home” like Sevilla awaits them.
“He has a coach who works well offensively and defensively and has players all very even, he is surely one of the most balanced squads in the league,” added the coach of the rojiblanco team.
Finally, he avoided commenting excessively on the increase in positive cases for coronavirus in Primera’s changing rooms and the impact on the championship. “Surely work will be done as a result of what was done in the previous pandemic and solutions will be sought so that the League does not stop and the games may or may not be played. We are open to whatever decide those who have to think and choose what which is better, “he said.