After a historic Madrid derby win, Atlético Madrid will be back in action in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night against German side Eintracht Frankfurt.
Speaking on Monday evening, coach Diego Simeone
was asked about the weekend’s result and how it could impact this continental clash.
“Every match is different,” the coach said. “We try to follow an upward trajectory, which the team is doing. All depends on humility, faith, hard work and continuing to follow the path that we know is positive for the group.
“The best thing to do is to represent that work on the pitch, and we hope to be able to do so,” he said.
Diego Simeone on how he reacted to his 1-game touchline ban
“As on other occasions: calmly.”
Diego Simeone on rotations
“We met on Sunday morning, and we’ve also met today, but we haven’t decided who will start yet. I have a general idea of the type of match we can expect based on the opponent. We’ll decide on the starting 11 in the morning.”
Diego Simeone on whether something changed after the Mallorca draw
“It’s very difficult to talk about just two matches. There’s a long way to go, and there are difficulties along the way, just like in life. We all have them. We went through them in previous matches; in the last few, we’ve done better. But there’s still a long way to go, and all kinds of situations will arise. We’ll approach the championship as we approach life: not everything is the same. During the week, there are low points and high points, and it’s the same in football.”
Diego Simeone on how he gets his message across after so many years
“I feel fortunate. I am grateful every day for the position I am in, for the opportunity I was given. I have had leaders like Enrique (Cerezo) and Miguel Ángel (Gil), who have always been there for me and supported me in difficult times. Having people on the coaching staff, those who are no longer here and those who have arrived to improve the path we have laid out, has also been key. And, above all, the players. All of them, in their own way, have been wonderful, giving their best and representing what I love about this game, what I feel for it. When all those things come together… I am a lucky man.”
Diego Simeone on the team’s morale after the derby
“We knew we had to win that game, and luckily we did it in the best possible way. We definitely needed these two days, which is why we gave them a little rest. Now we have to be strong for what’s coming, because no one remembers what happened before when the next game starts. In life, what matters is the present. We don’t know what’s coming next. We don’t decide the plan. We have to work hard and have faith.”
Diego Simeone on his takeaways
“I take something from Saturday and also from Wednesday (against Rayo): in both matches, we found ourselves 1-2 down, without having deserved to be losing. But the team had the ability to get back up, to keep running, to find the right way to come back. The second goal in both matches was decisive from an emotional point of view. From there came Julián’s goal against Rayo, a great goal, and against Madrid the favourable situation of the penalty and another great goal from Julián.”
