“The only thing I can give the team from my place is to be competitive”
MADRID, 21 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Atlético de Madrid coach, Diego Pablo Simeone, was happy with his team’s performance after the victory (3-0) against Real Valladolid this Saturday at the Civitas Metropolitano, while recalling the old days of Vicente Calderón and asked for greater support from the fans, divided by the bad results of the team so far.
“We had been playing good games. In Almería we had a dizzying second half, we continued to show that and today we were lucky to score. Today we had a firm first half, like those from the Calderón who missed each other so much. Hopefully the team can maintain stability. When the team is delivered, working and committed, you can play like this,” said the coach at a press conference.
In this sense, the Argentine called for greater support from his fans, divided by the club’s poor results so far. “I feel that the best thing that happened to me at Atlético was to see a fan base that was always devoted to the team, whether it was going well or not. Now that I’m coach, the only thing I can give the team from my position is to be competitive. It was always the spirit of the Atlético. Our people, the work of the directors, the coaching staff and all the footballers who have passed,” he said.
In addition, the ‘Cholo’ wanted to analyze the game and highlighted the work of his defensive line. “Leaving a clean sheet, the great job of the back four. Axel (Witsel) continues to grow in that position, Mario (Hermoso) is at his best since he was with us playing center-back, with the ability to play. But I liked accompanying what the team was shouting,” he said.
The coach recognized Griezmann’s good form and asked him to “maintain” that level. “All footballers are important. Antoine, for all the history behind him and for the goals he has scored for Atlético, it is important for the team as long as it maintains this level,” he added.
Lastly, Simeone referred to next Thursday’s quarterfinal against Real Madrid and remembered the Copa del Rey final that they beat the whites in 2013 at the Santiago Bernabéu. “I thought he was one of the seven that I could play. You have to prepare the game with humility and work. Trying to do the best we can in a very nice tie,” he explained.
“Several years have passed since 2013. That game Madrid was better, we had difficult moments at the end of the second half. It seemed that we could make a good extra time, we did well in the extra time and we took the Cup so loved by the fans. There is a I’ve gone to the semifinals since then and I’m glad they gave us five days to rest, the show is good for football”, he concluded.