After picking up only one point from a possible six at the start of this season, the pressure is already on Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone as he spoke to the media ahead of Saturday’s clash with Alavés.
One of the hot topics was whether fans should expect any movement in the transfer window before Monday’s deadlines, to which Simeone said “as always at the end of the transfer window, we are keeping an eye on everything until the last day.”
“This is football, it’s changeable, anything can happen,
in terms of departures and arrivals,” he said. “I’m completely open at this stage to someone coming in or going out, I’m talking daily with Carlos (Bucero) and Miguel (Ángel Gil) to finalize the squad as we need to finalize it.”
Simeone on Nahuel Molina
“He’s been working very well since preseason started, with a lot of enthusiasm. He’s competing (at right-back) with Marcos (Llorente) and Marc (Pubill), although Marc can also play center back, third center back. I see him doing well, enthusiastic and happy, eager to show that he can help us. That’s very good for him and for the team.”
Simeone on where there is room for improvement
“It’s always difficult to rate the work being done with so many new people. Any word can be used to suit the situation. The team has worked well in these games, with areas for improvement, especially defensively. We must continue working to be more decisive in the important areas. Alavés are in good form, they’re very strong at home. They’ve played two good games, their coach has very clear ideas. We hope to take the game where we think we can do damage.”
Simeone on handling the anxiety of the current situation
“Anything less than picking up points is not positive, especially in our position. We have to focus on improvements, on continuing to build on what went well and, above all, on staying calm. In difficult times, we have to stay calm so we can play the game the way we want to.”
Simeone on what a win could do for the team
“It’s good to continue along the path of growth that the team is seeking, and for that to consequently bring results. From there, we need to know who we’re going to face, a tough Alavés team on a pitch that always gives us a lot of trouble, possibly heat and other details that will come up and we can already imagine.”
Simeone on the Champions League draw
“The Champions League is very nice, the presentation is very nice. Competing with the opponents we have, they are tough, they are all important and they will demand the best of us.”
Simeone on whether his squad can compete or if it’s that the coach hasn’t unlocked the squad’s potential
“It’s a good thought, but then there’s the reality, which is that the coach hasn’t found the key in these two games. Both things are true and compatible.”
Simeone on a lack of offensive movement
“At the beginning (against Elche), we had many scoring opportunities, many more than against Espanyol. We weren’t accurate enough with our final pass in many situations; we lacked precision. We need more presence in the box, and hopefully we can maintain the same number of scoring opportunities as the other day: Sørloth’s, Giuliano’s two, Julián didn’t have any, which is strange… The team has created clear chances and hopefully we can create the same number and be more clinical.”
