MADRID, Jan. 17 (SportsFinding) –
The coach of Atlético de Madrid, Diego Pablo Simeone, stressed that he believes “absolutely” in João Félix and that they are “waiting” for the Portuguese striker to “lend an important hand in the second round” of LaLiga Santander, while He has highlighted the good performance of his team in the recent Super Cup against “a powerful player in everything around football like Real Madrid”.
“João Félix is only 20 years old. He has to be strong, happy, cheerful, excited, he plays at Atlético de Madrid, he has an important future and we are waiting for him to give us an important hand in the second round,” said Simeone, emphasizing that his pupil has “enormous talent and fantastic conditions”.
“All this road that he begins to do will serve him for the future. We absolutely believe in him, he has a game that we need, he has a goal. We hope that all these experiences he is living in this new stage will help him strengthen and grow day by day” , wish.
Asked if the coaching staff should pay attention to the Portuguese, the 'Cholo' recalled that they have “responsibility with any Atlético footballer who cannot answer.” “We have to make sure that I can find its best version and its best place to exploit its characteristics. I do not handle differently with each player, we always worry so that those who have potential serve the team,” he summarized.
On the other hand, he referred to the Spanish Super Cup and remarked that “talking about 'another lost final' is not a comfortable phrase” seen the history of his team since he came to office. “We lost three finals and won three, and two of those we lost were penalties. We are competing very well, I am proud of these years where we have reached so many finals and we have competed against a powerful player in everything around football like Real Madrid, “he said.
“VALVERDE DID WHAT I HAD TO DO”
In this regard, he declined to comment on the sanction of a match against Fede Valverde and stressed that it was “very clear after the game.” “Valverde did what I had to do. I was also extremely clear about what was going to happen and wear me down today thinking about things that we already know are going to happen, it makes no sense, so I focus on Eibar,” he settled.
As for the goal of Atlético in the second round, the Argentine stressed that they are “mid-season and there is still a lot of work ahead and much to improve.” “The League is very long and there is still no parameter to be able to speak. A tough and very complicated opponent is waiting for us who has always complicated us a lot,” he warned of Eibar.
As for the proper names, Simeone made a curious comparison with Álvaro Morata to explain his tendency to commit offside. “Inzaghi always played to the limit. Then there was no VAR and as he played in Juventus there were more favorable situations than unfavorable. Morata is very similar, he plays offside and today with the VAR in any situation it is very evident. Hopefully tomorrow Álvaro has lucidity to be able to solve such fine situations, “he wished.
Finally, Simeone poured praise on his counterpart Ernesto Valverde, recently fired by Barcelona. “I am nobody to comment on what happens to another family in your home, I respect all the decisions because we are football people. Valverde is a great coach who leaves his team classified in the Champions League and first in the League,” he said.
“He is a great person who has managed in a place where it is not simple to be because he is very powerful and with a level of education and respect for all always exemplary. That is admirable, especially in such large teams,” he concluded.