Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone on Saturday will hope to lead his team to a fifth consecutive home win, when the Colchoneros host Osasuna at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
It marks Atlético’s return from a busy international break, over which the Rojiblancos defeated Inter Milan in a friendly in Libya, while the team’s internationals participated in World Cup qualifying action.
“Well, the lads who stayed here to train had a good week, and we went to the match you saw in Libya against Inter, which
was also very good for us in terms of continuing with the style of play we’ve been developing,” Simeone explained. “Today (Friday) will be the first day we all get together, so we’ll assess how things are going, try out a few situations and we’ll decide who will start tomorrow.”
Diego Simeone on Mateu Alemany’s arrival as sporting director
“The truth is that I can’t comment because I don’t know him, we only met the other day. And well, based on the work we do together, I’ll be able to give my opinion later. I understand that anyone who comes to help us improve the club and the team above all is welcome. So I wish him the best, because the best of him will be the best thing that happens to us all.”
Diego Simeone on the team’s form
“Firstly, I don’t comment on the opinions of my colleagues or anyone else; it’s a personal opinion. I understand that the team is working well, we continue to add positive things and there are things that we need to improve. We are focused above all on the situations that we need to improve in order to be better and, from there, we hope that these situations that we want to improve will be reproduced in the game.”
Diego Simeone on Barcelona-Villarreal in the United States
“I’m not going to comment because until I see it, I won’t believe it.”
Diego Simeone on Nico Gonzalez’s position
“Well, Nico’s characteristics cover many positions. Full-back, inside forward, winger, striker, right wing. The truth is he has the ability to offer different situations in his game. Looking at what the team needs, we will always try to start with those who we believe can play a good game.”
Diego Simeone on Matteo Ruggeri
“There have been quite a few changes due to injuries, yellow cards, red cards, something always happens. And the lads have to be ready to help the team when they are called upon during the match. Matteo’s Champions League match (against Eintracht Frankfurt) was very good. We understood that (Dávid) Hancko had to start the Celta Vigo match. When one of our players was sent off, we felt that Javi Galán could help us. And at the same time, when they equalised, we looked to Nico to try to win it with one less player, which was more difficult. And for that specific reason, he did not play in that match. From then on, he did well in the match that took place in Libya, as did Thiago Almada, Griezmann, Koke, Marc Pubill, (Josema) Giménez, Carlos Martín… they all have a chance to help us.”
Diego Simeone on Almada’s return
“I think that almost all of our players are compatible. Thiago Almada can play as a central midfielder, as he has done in France and also in Brazil. He can play as a left midfielder, he can play on the left wing, he can play on the right wing, although he has played less there, I think he can do it too. He can play as a second striker. Those are his characteristics, and we need them because he is a player who has a special vision of the game. Few players can see the passes that he can see. We need him a lot, we need that type of player. When? When it’s his turn. Whether that’s 10 minutes, 90, 60 or five.”
Diego Simeone on injuries and patience
“Well, on the subject of injuries, Álex Baena’s was an appendectomy, it has nothing to do with football. What we do understand is that we have an important squad that was built with a clear plan, that was built with the team’s needs in mind and with what we hope to improve from last season to this season. Little by little, the players are finding their best form, and little by little we are finding partnerships so that the team can perform better on the pitch. Hopefully tomorrow, against a difficult, complex team, as Osasuna always is when they come to our ground, we can play an important match. We’re ready for a tough team, almost always playing the system they have used lately, more like a back five than a back four, with an important striker like (Ante) Budimir to play as their offensive focal point, with fast players around him. Let’s hope that tomorrow we will have our fans close to us again, because we need them, and that we can be strong at home so that we can progress when we play away.”
