Amid a wave of injuries hitting Diego Simeone’s Atlético Madrid side, the coach spoke ahead of the first UEFA Champions League game of the season as the Colchoneros take on Premier League winners Liverpool.
Simeone spoke about the scale of the challenge ahead, addressing the number of injuries with as positive an outlook as he could muster.
“Looking on the bright side, there will be lads who will get the chance to play,” Simeone said. “It’s always good to play against an extraordinary opponent, with
a fantastic stadium, great fans, they competed in the Champions League, in the league in the best possible way. We have a very difficult opponent and we will try to take the game to where we can hurt them.”
Diego Simeone on if it’s better for injuries to come earlier in the season
“Injuries are never good, especially given the different situations. Johnny’s ankle, Baena’s appendicitis, situations that go beyond football. But it’s part of the game, and we’re focused on the lads who are going to start, they’re going to show what they’ve got and play.”
Diego Simeone on looking for positives
“We play 11 against 11. The injuries have an impact after the match, and in the second half they may have more options, but it’s 11 against 11.”
Diego Simeone on a loss not being so deadly at this early stage
“I’m not thinking that far ahead. I’m just thinking about playing a great game tomorrow, continuing in the same vein as the last game, and I’m looking at the goal of improving in a fantastic setting that I love.”
Diego Simeone on what he likes most about Liverpool
“Their verticality, lightning-fast transitions, simple play, the wingers facing the centre, they don’t need many passes to get into the box and that simplicity speaks to the voracity of a team with very good players, a manager who has done an extraordinary job. We’ll see a tough, difficult game, but we intend to take it where we can do damage.”
Diego Simeone on the objective this season
“We’re taking it one match at a time.”
Diego Simeone on Johnny Cardoso’s injury
“I haven’t decided who will replace Johnny, who was going to play. As for Pablo (Barrios), he’s a fantastic player, he has a great present and an even greater future. He’s growing in the final stages of the game to be important in the danger zone, in front of goal, and in providing assists. And he can play in the middle because he has the characteristics needed in that position, which he occupied almost always alongside Koke last season.”
Diego Simeone on Marcos Llorente returning to Anfield
“Wherever we put Marcos, he will give his all. He has the potential to play anywhere: he can play as a striker, on the wing, in midfield or at centre-back. An anecdote from (March 11, 2020): Diego Costa came off furious when I substituted him for Llorente, and when the match was over, he came up to me, grabbed me and said, ‘You’re an a***hole’. And yes, maybe I am.”
