“I’m a magnet for sunny days,” he joked in an interview with the AFP the midfielder Thomas Lemarwho is back in shape with the Atletico Madrid ahead of Wednesday’s European clash against Manchester City (9:00 p.m.).
Q: You are coming off a difficult month of March, undermined by injuries and Covid-19… Was it difficult to overcome?
A: “It’s going much better. I’m happy to have resumed activity, to have been able to rejoin the group. I’m trying to find the rhythm little by little.”
Q: You missed the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against City, in which you defended a lot.
A: “It has always been like that. But we are not going to lie to ourselves, we even get scared from time to time. Even if we know that we can change the game at any time, we would have preferred not to have to have a bad time in some games.”
Q: What do you say to the people who criticize Atlético’s style of play after the first leg?
A: “I have nothing to tell you. Just look at the statistics since the coach arrived. Perhaps it’s not pretty to look at, but it’s effective. Atlético wins, and that’s the most important thing”. .”
Q: Since last year, you have found a more central role, which suits you better…
A: “I had a talk with the coach last year, when I was beginning to find my place in the team. I have a role more in line with my style, which has made it easier for me to integrate into Atlético’s style of play. It suits me “.
Q: How have you coped with Simeone’s high level since his arrival in 2018?
A: “That hard-working role, I already had it before. But I continued to work more on my negative points, which became positive points… It is above all in the defensive area. In the recovery of the ball, in the defensive breaks. I worked a lot. It allowed me to broaden my palette of resources. Now I’m a more complete player than before.”
Q: Is this your best season at Atlético?
A: “Statistically I would say yes. And collectively I would choose last season, since we finished as league champions.”
Q: In LaLiga, Atlético is currently fourth, followed by one point by Betis Sevilla. For you, will the season be a success if you get a place in the Champions League?
A: “I would say it would be a good season, I speak as a competitor, because I always want to win, to finish as high as possible. With the bad form at the beginning of the season, if we manage to qualify at the top it would be a good season.”
Q: Since last summer, you have been reunited with a club-mate from France, Antoine Griezmann. What relationship do you have?
A: “Antoine and I have a great bond. I get along very well with him on and off the pitch. The fact that he came back with us has already moved me a lot, but also the club. Of course, he trained at Real Sociedad, but He’s still a man of the club, someone who has proven himself at Atlético de Madrid. And he’s still a great player. I’m sure he’ll help us at the end of the season”.
Q: Personally, injuries have kept you away from the France squad a bit lately. The ‘Blues’ won the Nations League without you in the fall… Was it frustrating?
A: “If I play football it’s to win trophies. Of course I was happy that the French team won this trophy, but for sure not being there hurts. But hey, that’s part of football.”
Q: Last year you announced that your goal was to go to the European Championship. This year, what is your goal?
A: “It’s going to the World Cup. It’s a great goal for me. Yes, I’ve been away from the last calls due to physical problems, but I’ve always had that goal in mind, to be part of the national team. From the list for the Copa del World. Then all the players are important, so it’s up to me to show my worth, to show my worth to the coach.”
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