Atlético de Madrid coach Diego Pablo Simeone referred to “game by game” to define the goals he set when he arrived at the club nine years ago, as he explained after the game against Getafe. A meeting in which he completed 500 games on the bench.
Match against Getafe
“It was a tough game as always against Getafe. The first 30 minutes we played a good game. The goal came, Lemar's chance. We were able to finish better on some occasions. But in the last 15 minutes Getafe started playing the game they wanted to play. In the second he played better. And we couldn't go out on the counterattack, we couldn't generate chances… we only had 1-0 and we know it's a dangerous result.
Simeone's 500 games
“The forecasts I had at the club were always to go game by game. I understand that when I got on the plane I had prepared to catch Atlético de Madrid. Many people have passed who have helped the growth of the club such as Miguel (Ángel Gil Marín), Enrique (Cerezo), Caminero, Clemente (Villaverde)…. I don't want to forget anyone, and many players. Not long ago I was joking with Koke and Saúl that they are the players who are closest to those 500 games, and that they were in those first days that he arrived as coach ”.
Goals upon arrival
“Since I arrived when I got together with Miguel and Enrique, I told them let's go game by game. That is my feeling, playing each game as if it were the last until the situations lead me to leave Atlético or not ”.
Getafe has not yet scored a goal
“They are situations. Atlético spent 14 years without beating Real Madrid. It has been quite a few games that we did not beat Barcelona, but that was until one day. We face each game with the same passion ”.
Wish for 2021
“It would be too selfish if in the moment we are living we think about football. Hopefully we can hug a friend again, be able to celebrate a birthday again … get back to normal. Health, above all I ask for health ”.
2020 valuation
“We cannot handle the years as a year but as a season. Last season we reached the goal of reaching the Champions League and we managed to settle in that place that allows us to continue growing. The Cup went very badly, where we were eliminated in the first round. In the Champions League we were excited after the game against Liverpool, but then we fell into the quarterfinals. So we started over. We started well as we have been playing since the pandemic ended, with the team very psyched. And now we have to continue ”.
Trippier
“I keep insisting, it seems very unfair to me that Atlético de Madrid is the one that is harmed. I haven't spoken to Kieran yet, I will speak in the next few days. We will see what can be done because we do not understand why we have to pay. Now we have to empower Sime who is a footballer with personality, an international footballer and who can have great importance in the team. Against Getafe it was difficult for him to enter the game, it is normal he has not played for many months but I think he has ended up being well ”.
Regularity
“I have no doubt that having a regularity is key in the League. There will be domination matches, pressure because the rival also plays, also competes…. The day the team is less fine for the game, you have to win. In soccer the goal is the most important thing ”.