Atlético Madrid will welcome Sevilla to Estadio Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Saturday, with coach Diego Simeone set to take on his good friend and former team-mate Matías Almeyda, who is now Sevilla coach.
On Friday, Simeone previewed the game with the media. Speaking about the return of Josema Giménez and the resultant change of system, Simeone said “it’s not that we choose a back four, five or six, the game can lead you to different formations depending on how the opposition plays. Against Betis,
we played 4-3-3, 4-5-1 and 4-4-2 at different times, changing according to how the opposition attacked.”
The coach went on to insist that “you have to adapt, there’s a snapshot of how you start, but then the systems vary depending on how the opposition moves, and you have to adapt to play the game well.”
Diego Simeone on Johnny Cardoso
“He hasn’t played for over 40 days. He has recovered quite well, he is progressing in training in terms of what we need from him and he is an option to start tomorrow.”
Diego Simeone on Conor Gallagher
“He’s one of the best players we have at pressing defensively, and he’s great at getting forward from the second line. Tomorrow, he’s competing in my thoughts on who will start in that position where (Pablo) Barrios won’t be.
“We need to have everyone fit. We’ll do it again on Tuesday, and then in November and December, we have nine games in a row. We’re thinking about tomorrow, a tough, difficult opponent, with incredible pressure all over the pitch, and we’ll have to take the game to where we can hurt them.”
Diego Simeone on Matías Almeyda
“He’s a friend, someone I’m very fond of. We had a great relationship when we were teammates on the national team and at Lazio. I’m very happy that he’s come to Spanish football, he deserved it, he always did a great job wherever he was and his team plays like he did, it’s a complete reflection of what he conveyed on the pitch with his work, commitment, pressure. Sevilla are one of the teams in La Liga that presses best.”
Diego Simeone on how close he’d like to be to Real Madrid at the end of November
“I understand your question, but Sevilla.”
Diego Simeone on Julián Álvarez being substituted seven times
“We always try to do what is best for the team and act accordingly.”
Diego Simeone on Marcos Llorente playing 31 consecutive games
“He is a great professional and we hope he can continue working in the same way from now on.”
