“We need to win anyway, against Milan it’s a final”

Ángel Correa (3-9-1995, Rosario, Argentina) is a veteran at Atlético despite being only 26 years old. The forward knows the dressing room and knows the importance of the game against Milan and the return of the fans to Wanda Metropolitano. A rival where was about to emigrate in 2019 and before the one who only thinks of victory. Repeat the league title and be in the Qatar World Cup, the Argentine’s long-term goal.

The team needed to win and against Osasuna it recovered its basic fundamentals, a clean sheet and a goal from set pieces.

The truth is that yes, we needed it. We are very happy to win again. It’s what we had to improve, try to get a clean sheet again and at some point the team will score a goal.

Why is it so difficult to add three at a time?

I think that in general, looking at the rest of the League, it is a very even competition. I always say that the Spanish League is very difficult, all teams play football very well.

Can what happened in Mestalla be a lesson?

Yes, it is clear. We were winning, the team felt comfortable and lacking nothing for us to end up being tied, so it was a very hard blow for the team. I think it will serve us well for what is coming this season.

Is the Milan match the first final of the season?

It is clear that, after losing those two games against Liverpool, what we have left in the Champions League we are going to play to win and to grow as a team.

The fans will turn to the game.

The fans are always with us, at all times. I think now is a time that we need to win whatever it takes and they are going to join us against Milan because it is a final.

With people in the stands it seems like a different sport.

The truth is that he was surprised. Now that everything is back to normal we are very happy, we enjoy it much more.

Griezmann’s sanction has been lowered and he will be able to participate, is he going back to being the one before he left?

Since he arrived, he has always been very committed, very happy and happy to return and that is how he is now being noticed on the field. Hopefully it continues to grow, because for us it is very important and gives us a lot.

The arbitrations seem very severe with Atlético.

It is something that is happening. I don’t stop to think about that, but they are things that are happening and are hurting us. We have to focus on what is ours and not on the referees, we think about continuing to grow.

In the summer of 2019 he was close to going to Milan.

Yes, I knew it. I had the opportunity to go and in the end it didn’t happen and I am very happy to continue at Atlético.

He made his debut in the Champions League with a goal, but since then they have gone 47 games without scoring. Is it Correa’s challenge?

I don’t despair when I can’t score, I feel bad when I play a bad game and I can’t help the team. That is what I do not like, but it is clear that I have not scored a goal since my debut and if he comes and helps the team, welcome.

Are you more comfortable leading three?

Cholo is the one who knows us all, he has known me for many years (he came to the club in 2014, although in his first year he could not play) and he knows where I perform the most. But in some games he needs me on the wing, in others he needs me higher and I try to do my best to help the team.

His versatility sometimes leads him to play where he is not so comfortable.

It is clear that today for a footballer playing in various positions is much better. The coach when looking at and choosing a player is going to look at that, someone who performs in many positions.

Before the break they looked very comfortable at the top and suffering behind. Is it hard to find balance?

It’s complicated. It is one more job for the coach and the coaching staff to decide who has to play and how the team has to play.

Kun Agüero has suffered a cardiac arrhythmia, have you been able to talk to him?

I’ve seen him, but haven’t talked to him. The truth is that seeing it from the outside and after having gone through something similar is a shame.

When the tumor in your heart was detected, did you consider having to stop playing football?

No. When I went to operate, I was just thinking about everything going well so that I could continue playing football.

De Paul is a perfect fit for Atlético.

With the quality he has and the claw he puts in the games and in training, it is clear that if he continues like this he can be here for many years and do great things at Atlético.

You are counting for Scaloni, do you think about the World Cup?

It is clear. I did not have the opportunity to be in the 2018 World Cup and now that I am going back to the national team and we are classified, it is clear that I want it to be given to me, because it would be the best to be in the World Cup.

At Atlético and in the national team he competes with great players in his position.

I just try to always be prepared. Being physically well, although now it is complicated by all the trips and all the games in a short time. That’s what affects me the most as a player. It’s something I like, competing with great players and great teammates and it’s something that motivates me a lot every day.

Signings arrive, but when push comes to shove, Correa is always there.

My goal is to always be prepared. It is something that motivates me a lot, that the coach always sees that I am available to help the team makes me very happy.

Is Correa valued less than more media players?

I’m not trying to think about that, nor am I looking at the press or anything. I try to continue growing as a footballer, because I still have many things to learn.

What is the goal of the season?

The team wants to continue growing. We are defending the league title, which was wonderful, but it will not be easy to repeat. All the teams want to beat us and we notice it, that they are trying harder against us, but we hope that it can be given to us again. It would be something great for the club, because they never won two league titles in a row and we are going to work for that.

Is it from watching football at home?

When my daughter leaves me and is not seeing the drawings (laughs) I do like it. I try to watch Argentine football and also when there is a good Champions League game.

At the age of 26, he is about to turn 300 games at Atlético.

If I think about it, I can’t even imagine it. I don’t stop to think about it, just to keep growing and hopefully many more will come.