Simeone attended the media in the preview of Athletic-Osasuna, party of which they can be champions, although a stumble would also complicate the title. The coach faces it as one more meeting within his philosophy and expects the best from Luis Suárez and João Félix.
How is the team's spirits? Have you managed to isolate yourself from the euphoria and everything around you?
We continue in the same line as always. We are dealing with Osasuna, a team that has competed very well historically and will do so tomorrow as well, and how to resolve our match. From that, I see the team with enthusiasm, with enthusiasm and with everything that comes from playing with the Atlético jersey.
Is there more tension? How does this work?
Calmly, safely, seeking to follow the usual line, watching game by game and not going off the path that we have always traveled.
Is Atlético being given the credit it deserves?
I do not find sense to give an opinion about what others think. We seek to play a good game, take it to where we can hurt Osasuna and knowing that the rival will come to play with enthusiasm.
Three or four weeks ago, he took responsibility when things were not going quite well and said that it was necessary to improve. How has it improved?
Throughout the season each team goes through different moments. When there are difficulties, coaches have to find solutions to get out of them. The team improved, from the second half against Sevilla we were good, in Bilbao a good second half, in Elche good first and much of the second, and we repeated in the last games. To continue in that line.
How will it be managed in the dressing room to know that the rivals are playing at the same time in other fields?
We always depend on what we can generate and this time it is no exception. We will focus on our match and we will turn the illusion into going game by game, like the whole season.
Osasuna no longer plays anything. Is it an ideal adversary?
In football you cannot choose a rival. There are no small enemies. Soccer is day to day and you have to play according to the game that you play.
How are Luis Suárez and João Félix?
Let's hope that João when he's on the pitch, whether he's starting or coming in later, will give us what he gave us and how important he is. The team needs it. As for Luis, we entered the Suarez zone. It is an ideal moment for a footballer like him to find and solve game situations that the team will need. He is used to games like this and has the hierarchy to do it.
What will be the keys to the meeting?
Osasuna is changing, lately he uses 4-3-3 more, although he may return to 4-4-2 that has been in the essence of his game. He works much more across the game, with fast people on the outside, with people from the second row to accompany his striker and a very strong collective work after the first ten games. His coach has been doing a great job for years and we imagine that rival.