Atlético Madrid battled their way to a 1-0 victory over Getafe on Sunday evening, with coach Diego Simeone influencing the game heavily via his changes from the bench.
Reflecting on the game, Simeone was
keen to point to the teamwork that contributed to the slim win.
“The truth is that if I have to highlight something about the team, it’s the group, because obviously we’re relying on the players who come on and understand how to get into the games,” he said. “It’s happened many times, and I won’t name names, but you already know who they are. The players who came on in previous games have scored goals. Almada, for example, didn’t play today, but he’s just come off the bench to score two goals. Today, Raspadori, who was doing a lot as I explained, came on and did very well. Sørloth, whether he plays or not, whether he starts or comes on in the second half, gives his all.
“I think these are all important things for everyone,” Simeone continued. “Clément Lenglet hadn’t played for quite a while and did very well, so, that makes me happy. hat’s the only way we can compete where we want to.”
Diego Simeone on the strong start
“I think the first 10 minutes were very, very good, with attempts on goal from Llorente, Nico and Baena, three situations that we sometimes talk about as being decisive, which when they happen give you more peace of mind in the match. In this case, they didn’t happen, where we could have settled the first half and then it started to get complicated. Marcos went off injured, we had to change, I think the team failed to adapt well to the way the match was going, which we knew was going to happen.
“In the second half, I think the players who came off the bench gave us good energy and vitality, which is what the match demanded and what the team needed. I’m very happy for Raspadori because after that Champions League match (against Frankfurt) where he scored a goal, the manager hasn’t given him the playing time he deserves and he’s been waiting for his chance. Today he came on very well on the right, had a great shot that Soria saved very well, and the move that led to the goal. We have to continue in this vein with humility and faith in what we do.”
Diego Simeone on Juan Musso
“Firstly, his name is absolutely integral to what the team needs and what the group asks of him, and he acts accordingly. The truth is that every time he has been called upon to play, he has shown why we have counted on him for this season and why we wanted him to stay with us. Hopefully, he will continue in this vein because we are going to need him, just as we need all the other lads.”
Diego Simeone on the substitutions
“I thought we needed to give the guys coming on some time because the match was going in a direction that wasn’t favourable to what we needed from the game, and I thought it was a good idea to give those coming on more minutes because sometimes coming on for five or 10 minutes is difficult for the guys coming on, but coming on for 40 or 35 minutes makes a difference. I think it worked out well and that makes us happy.”
Diego Simeone on scoring in 13 consecutive games
“We started off winning, then we lost (one) of these 13 and drew some of them, so, to be honest, it doesn’t mean anything to me.”
Diego Simeone on Álex Baena and Pablo Barrios’ good form
“All in all, I think you’ve summed up the situation both players are going through very well. Pablo Barrios is extremely important to us in midfield, and I was just asked whether Baena plays on the left, on the right or in the centre. He plays football, wherever he is put, he will play football because he has a quality and vision of the game that allows us to use him in any position from midfield upwards. So he needs to improve, and we’re going to help him continue to improve because I think he still has room for growth. He’s young, he’s rebellious, he wants more. I see him with the energy of Atlético de Madrid, and all of that is going to help him continue to grow from where he is now.”
Diego Simeone on five consecutive wins
“It shows that the team is working very well and we are competing as we want to, and luck, which is also part of this game, is on our side sometimes. Today, for example, we scored an own goal, and if we hadn’t, you wouldn’t be asking me all these questions, you’d be asking me others. Anyway, luckily this match went well.”
