Atlético Madrid celebrated a surprisingly comfortable 2-0 win over Valencia with debut goals for youngsters Iker Luque and Miguel Cubo, both stepping up from the B team, in the first game for 41 years where two debutants scored for the club.
“There was Cubo’s quality, I made it clear to him what we need to get the best out of a player like him, and Iker is exactly what we saw,” coach Diego Simeone highlighted as he praise the duo.
“These lads are Fernando Torres’s doing, not ours, it’s a reward for
Atlético Madrid,” he said, as he gave the credit for their performances to his former striker, now the coach of the club’s B team Atlético Madrileño.
Diego Simeone on the game plan
“I’d planned the match exactly as it went. That link-up play from Molina, with Boñar, with Morcillo, with Rayane, who worked very well in defence.”
Simeone on the veterans
“Molina, Musso, Robin… They have the qualities we need in our squad. When we’re managing a squad like this, we need players like them. As for Nahuel, I’m absolutely certain that his best form comes in transitions, from midfield onwards. He’s got an eye for goal, a good shot, and he provides assists… When he’s playing more offensively, he can deliver all that for us. From deeper positions it’s more difficult.”
Simeone on the character shown by his players
“It doesn’t surprise me. When you’re at Atlético, you have to have these qualities. And if they don’t show up, you have to demand them. Against Sevilla we didn’t deserve to lose, against Elche we started well but were let down by the sending-off, and then this one. The youngsters responded very well, and so did the experienced players. We need this sort of player.”
Simeone on those who have criticized his rotations
“Nothing to say.”
