Diego Pablo Simeone, coach of the
Atlético de Madrid
, offered a press conference prior to the first leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League, who will face his team at Chelsea. The Argentine coach spoke of the circumstances surrounding the game, such as the fact that it has to be played outside of Spain -in Romania-, as well as the many casualties that the mattress team has.
DUEL BEFORE A GREAT TEAM
“The opinions are respectable, you have to listen to them and understand them. We will try to take care of an important rival, with great players, who takes the tie to 50% for each one because they are two very good teams. We do not change our thinking because they already know how we think, we focus on tomorrow's game.
THE POSITIVE OF THE LAST MATCH
“I keep that the team reacted in the second half although it did not follow the result, we played the game we wanted to play. This is what I see as positive from the last game ”.
PLAY AWAY FROM HOME
“Stefan explained it well. We deal with the game, not with what we cannot solve. Honestly, what I think is that at this time, with many problems for many workers, we who can play wherever and whenever, because we love football … It is where we have to play, where we can play, we are focused on it”.
KOKE MESSAGE AFTER THE DEFEAT (REFEREES)
“When you have Koke, ask him and he will answer you exactly what he thought when he wrote that.”
LUIS SUÁREZ
“For all competitions, the presence of Luis generates hierarchy, confidence and a lot of attention from rivals. The story accompanies the trajectory of a player who has a gift with the goal. Hopefully we can have a great game. Chelsea has changed, with a coach, a great coach, who where he was made his team play very well and now he is showing it ”.
MISSING TO SCORE IN CHAMPIONS AWAY FROM HOME
“When it's time to play in London we say so. Tomorrow we will play at 'home' (they play in Bucharest). Let's hope Luis Suárez scores ”.
MARCOS LLORENTE, POSITION
“He is a player who gives us a lot everywhere. I am the first who values that when he plays higher he participates more in offense, but of the ones we have today he is the one who occupies the best on the right side. We have Ricard to help us, he is a young boy. I have until tomorrow to think about what I consider best for the game ”.
HOW BUCHAREST WAS CHOSEN
“The club managed the options where you could play. We were in contact. They told us about this option, here we are. It changes for us who had to travel four hours, Chelsea who had to do six. We will train in the field, as we do at home. Beyond the place, we are playing the game that would be at our home.
BAJA DE THIAGO SILVA. ADVANTAGE?
“Do not”
CHANGE WITH TUCHEL
“He comes to a very powerful club economically. Year after year very important players arrive, this year with very good, young players. When the team saw that there was no response, they sought a change with Tuchel. Upon arrival the numbers have improved. Simply seeing the goalkeepers, the forwards … a lot of replacement, many important players who could be starters in any team in Europe. The template speaks for itself. It is one of the best in Europe. It is a powerful team ”.
(+) Watch the press conference of Savic and simeone
