Diego Pablo Simeone celebrated a long-suffering triumph for Atlético that gives life to this group B. In the first instance, he spoke into the Movistar Champions League microphones.
What a way to suffer …
The end of the game was good because of the search, the courage, with one more, to be able to attack more freely. There was also an 11 against 11 match before where Milan was better. We had no foot to compose ourselves, until the end of the first half we did not have a chance. Then they defended themselves well with ten, we tried everything we had to look for a draw and then victory. It was a very important game.
Griezmann has thanked him to continue betting on him …
I believe in my footballers, the squad is very good, although we do not have the regularity in the matches and in the game, we try with almost everyone, because almost all of them have had minutes on the field, but we have to find what makes us better as a team. They have to know that the time they are in the field can be decisive because they are very good. It makes me happy for Antoine, a great goal from an extraordinary player. He is a great player and will be required
Has there been a hug with Antoine?
With him, with João, with Lemar… The second half we looked for speed in the game, important footballers on the field… Many times they ask me if they can't all play together and this time they agreed in attack and we won a game that was very important.
The superiority against ten has not been noticed….
Eleven against eleven were better, we lost a lot of balls in the beginning, we lacked personality. When they were left with one less it began to vary, we had that volley from Suárez… In the second we had another from Suárez, mid-range shots and we played close to their area. We expected something to happen as it did. The team believed until the end.
Later he attended the press
How do you assess the change in the party?
We did not have the tools to get out of the dynamics of the game that they had. They were left with one less and an improvement began to be seen and in the second half beyond having one less the team improved, the pace increased, with João and Griezmann we were looking to find something that would break and in the end we got three great points.
Did you or Griezmann celebrate the tying goal more?
I didn't celebrate the draw, there was time left and we wanted to win. It makes me very happy for him, he is a great footballer who will give us many things and we will have to demand the maximum from him as he knows it will be demanded of him. The victory is much more important than the game, because the group is difficult, Liverpool is very strong, Milan has played their games very well and in the second half we have brought together almost everyone, Griezmann, Lemar, Correa, De Paul, Suárez, João, Correa… and they are all playing, we need to grow, improve and find those who can have regularity in the game.
Have you reconciled with San Siro?
I always liked San Siro, even when we had to lose. And I always have a very good memory of Milan, with an extraordinary atmosphere and for Griezmann and Suárez returning to goal in important matches generates confidence. To keep working, we have to improve, increase the pace, seek balance and here we go. If there is something I have, it is that I do not stay still, that's for sure.
What did you like the most and what did you like the least?
The least was the start of the game and the good thing was trying to win the game in every way and it was achieved because it was sought, of course.
Was it deserved?
In football, when I have to win or lose, I never talk about merits. Win or lose.
Do you consider the expulsion fair? How much did the party change?
I repeat what I have said. Milan in the first 30 minutes dominated the game, they did better and then another game started. The goal has been around, Suárez has had two occasions, we have tested the goalkeeper and in the end a very important comeback has come for us.