“The team is doing an extraordinary job”

Diego Pablo Simeone celebrated Atlético's victory against Alavés. A goal from Suárez after a great team move and the figure of Oblak stopping a penalty in the 86th minute gave life to the rojiblanco team.

How have you seen the game?

I have been saying it, beyond the elimination in the Champions League. The team's work is being extraordinary, there is always an intention, availability, commitment, to seek the path that we propose to the players. In the first half we had the ball, but we were not incisive or created scoring chances. They closed very well, as the competition progresses, the matches are more difficult and complex and the differences are minimal between one team and another. What we talked about at halftime was achieved, we accelerated the plays, we had more appearances in the area to finish off, a goal and the best minutes of the team with three very clear chances, one from Suárez, one from Llorente with an extraordinary goalkeeper save and the from Carrasco to a pass from Suárez. We stayed with time as it always happens when you go 1-0, a tight score and the penalty saved by Oblak arrived. Very happy for Jan, who generates three very important points for the team.

Are they going through a physical or mental block in the early parts?

There is also a rival who tries to defend a result and in these early stages we were not able to put an advantage in the game that can be seen in the possession of the ball, it occupies spaces and I understand that is why.

Oblak stopped and Suárez defined up.

As with all great teams, there is always one who scores a lot of goals and one who saves very well with a team that competes accordingly. There are decisive players who make the team's overall work stronger.

He hugged Llorente after the goal.

He came to where I was and I hugged him, we passed each other and we hugged.

Why did you say that Madrid and Barcelona are not going to lose from here to the end?

Because, help me, the last leagues except the ones we won have always been competing. We come from a decade where they have won a lot and have a great power of footballers. We continue our journey with humility, match by match and without thinking about anything else.

There are ten days left, what is this Atlético for?

Do not be angry, but to have a good week of training and think about Sevilla, which is what lies ahead.

How is the break coming at this point in the course?

It is a complex, difficult year, with many situations, COVID-19, injuries, matches, late and early encounters and you have to adapt without excuses. The only thing that matters is what will happen when the next game is over and you have to prepare for the situations you have to live with from here to the end.