Diego Pablo Simeone, Atlético coach, spoke at a telematic press conference and analyzed what he expects from the game against Lokomotiv.
Is João Félix going to rest? Are you worried about the calendar?
Opinion from where it touches us does not make much sense, we have to adapt to the circumstances that exist, especially with the League and the Champions League and in this year where so many games come together, adding to the internationals … We are still not clear with which eleven we are going to start, we will train in the morning and seeing them I will decide the best to carry the game forward.
One of the criticisms was that the second goal was not sought, but now it is. Is it your decision or is it a natural evolution?
They are situations of the game that are provoked, the critic is there to give their opinion and criticize what they think is fair and we to do what we think best. Since I arrived, my goal is for the team to win and from there we work and look for the paths. Some days it turns out better, others not so much… Soccer has that.
What game do you expect? Who fears?
Knowing the Champions League and the players we have, who have competed for many years in this competition, we know that this tournament is not waiting for you. The game is very important, against a rival who works tactically very well, good counterattack and we will have to be careful to sustain the attack and try to do damage. We did well in Moscow, we couldn't finish and it will be tough. They won't give us anything.
In Europe it seems that Atleti costs more than in the League …
We don't prepare it differently, we prepare it with the same objective, which is to win. In the League we do better and in the Champions League we suffer more because of what the results say …
Options to supply Trippier.
It is getting better and better, there is an evolution, it is very important for us and as long as it is in condition, we will insist even though it has a huge burden. Vrsaljko is fine, approaching to be able to be and when a player has to enter in that position they will see him at the moment. We have some thoughts on these situations, there are injuries, suspensions, coronavirus … We have the options, we will show them when it has to happen … or not.
The change of system, Llorente, Hermoso … have they helped Trippier?
When we looked for Mario it was for something that is happening, it took us longer than we thought, but it is a consequence. We already tried it last year at the Alavés home with Felipe closing and with Saúl open … When we saw Mario we always thought about this alternative that he does very well today, it is being very important to start and support the team and also frees to those of the bands, Lodi, Carrasco, Vitolo, Saúll .. And also to Trippier, who has a more specific route, with less anxiety in the face of loss of the ball and then fulfill the defensive tasks and Llorente also boosted growth. Many footballers have grown since last year, like Herrera, Lemar, I hope I can show it, they will see it …
How do you see Costa and Saponjic?
Costa is coming back, he trained very well and is in a position to help us, we will decide whether from the beginning or entering the game. With Ivan we talk very clearly before we start and he knows what we think.
Favorite, candidate … is that language used in the dressing room?
Things are being done well and when that happens, everything that surrounds us and everything that observes us has an opinion in relation to what the team can demonstrate. But it should not confuse us, nor can it excite us or lead us to a state that we should not have. I do not understand any other way than to think about match by match, which does not mean that there are other claims. In life and in football, the only thing that matters is what will happen tomorrow, what happens the day after tomorrow we don't know how it will be.
How does the staff handle it? From criticism of the game to praise …
I don't talk about it with them, we think about preparing the games and arriving in the best way possible.
Do you notice that this year there is something special about this template?
I always comment, year after year, that the important thing is when the season ends, where it was reached, if the goal was met, if it was exceeded, if it was suffered … that's what counts. The road will have good and difficult moments…. The strength of the group and the work lead you to regularity.