Simeone: “The sports management works on whether a '9' comes or not …”

Diego Pablo Simeone, Atlético coach, He attended the media in the preview of the match against Alavés, the first in 2021. The coach valued his rival and the moment of footballers such as Luis Suárez and Llorente, in addition to leaving the arrival of another nine on the air.

Does the state of the field in Mendizorroza worry?

First of all, wish you happy new year. As for the field, we are prepared for the circumstances that we find ourselves, we are aware of the time that there is and when we arrive, the people who must make decisions will make them and we prepared for the circumstances that touch us.

Have you already ordered a 9? Is Luis Suárez the best striker you've ever had?

We always talk with the club about what the team needs and we are evaluating whether we bring someone or not, they will see it. The sports management works on it, on whether a forward can come or it is not necessary. And regarding Suárez, choosing a striker would not be correct with all that has happened, but we do value Luis as a footballer that we went to look for, that he wanted to come and that he transmits to us exactly what we spoke in the first conversation for phone we had. Hopefully he can maintain this regularity and we need him, because of his hierarchy and because of his forcefulness.

What is more urgent, a side or a forward?

We always work on what is convenient for the team and the club, if something has to happen they will find out. Now we are working to face an opponent with a good direct game, with very strong forwards, an interesting band work, that comes with people from the second row and a team that competes well.

Which player has your growth surprised you the most?

When we choose a footballer, we are excited about what we imagine best about each of them. Some need more time to prove it, but what we are seeing in Llorente, Hermoso, João, Lemar, Herrera, Carrasco… who have grown as a result of what the team needs and in their individual talent. It's what we expected of them and that's why we went looking for it. Some took longer, others less … but they are showing what we believed of them. Speak highly of them.

Marcos Llorente has already played in almost all positions …

When a footballer occupies several positions it can be good, although when he is not in a good moment and plays in several places it seems that it worsens it. Everything is related to the moment of the footballer. Llorente is very well and when a player is like this, wherever you put him, he will perform. Because he has good energy, because he is excited, because he wants to play and compete. That is good for the coach and for the team to have more variations and favor the work of the group.