MADRID, 12 One. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Atlético de Madrid coach Diego Pablo Simeone insisted on the relevance of the semifinal of the Spanish Super Cup against Athletic Club, making it clear that “when you wear the Atlético shirt all matches are important”, after praising the “balance and great work” achieved by Marcelino García Toral in the Basque team.
“When you put on the Atlético shirt, they are all important matches, because you are representing the club, the people, a team as important as us. We only care about improving and winning tomorrow’s game,” said the Argentine coach this Wednesday in the press conference prior to the semifinal of the Super Cup against Athletic.
The ‘Cholo’ did not want to advance if he will use a 5-3-2 or a 4-4-2 against the ‘lions’. “We give training the previous noon and then we look for sensations. We understood that it was good for us to work this week at 5-3-2 to decide tomorrow, against a team that competes very well, with a balance and a great job since the arrival of Marcelino, they are very competitive, “he explained.
One of the doubts will be if Joao Félix is the starter tomorrow, although Simeone said that “he has possibilities.” “He is in the squad and he is excited. To keep talking about Joao is repetitive, he has everything to be an extraordinary footballer, it will absolutely depend on him who can sustain him,” he said about the Portuguese.
The Argentine Ángel Correa if he could have a fixed place in the starting eleven, since he is going through a great moment. “He is one of the best footballers we have to play between the lines and in offensive transitions. His place is as a forward, but we have always looked for another situation for him to play and he has always helped us. He feels comfortable as a forward and he shows it, now he is having continuity with the goal, it is what a striker is asked to do, “he celebrated.
Finally, Simeone valued the strength of the group over individualities, “a balance between all.” “We always believe that the game is valued with respect to the team, not only the defensive part. Sometimes you have continuity in the results, and other times we could not find them. It is important that the boys are well and recover in the best way.” He said about the absences in the defensive plot.
“We have had to win without the best Giménez and without the best Suárez. It is a state of mind and confidence and security of those who can play. But José and Luis, due to their hierarchy, if they are at a high level, the team has more strength in both areas. But both need the rest of the team, “concluded the Argentine about the forcefulness in the two areas.