Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone cut a dejected figure after his team were held to a 1-1 tie in Istanbul by Galatasaray, meaning they lose control of their fate as they seek a place in the top eight of the UEFA Champions League group stage.
“First, we have to wait and see the results. It’s no longer up to us,” Simeone said frankly. “Based on the results, we’ll manage what we can.
“The explanation for the game was quite clear, but now we depend on Atalanta and Liverpool, for starters, so if they
win, we would start the last matchday with fewer chances. It’s not in our hands,” he said. “We thought that by winning both games, we wouldn’t depend on anyone else.”
(Liverpool defeated Marseille 3-0, while Atalanta lost 3-2 to Athletic Club later on Wednesday.)
Diego Simeone on the result
“What we saw was a spectacular first half, creating chances, continuous attacks, plays that we didn’t finish off as we should have. We took the lead and they equalized when we could have sealed the victory. In the second half, they put five at the back and were more comfortable, they also had chances and could have won it in the end, but Marcos saved us.
“I think we played a great game, we could have won it, but decisiveness is the most important thing and hopefully we can get it back.”
Diego Simeone on Giuliano
“It had been a while since he scored a goal, and we need goals from wingers like Giuliano, Baena, or Almada and midfielders like Barrios or Cardoso. It doesn’t always have to be the forwards. When we talk about a lack of decisiveness, we’re talking about the team in general, not just the forwards.”
Diego Simeone on the substitutions of Almada and Barrios
“They had yellow cards and had put in a good effort. We were going to continue to have dangerous chances. I think the first half was better than the second.”
Diego Simeone on Marc Pubill marking Victor Osimhen
“Marc is doing very well, Hancko too, Robin came on very well today and Giménez is waiting for his moment. We need everyone and we need the work we’re doing to pay off.”
Diego Simeone on 15 shots and only one goal
“The path we are on will pay off eventually. It’s possible that we’ll get one (goal) and win. The team played impressively enough in the first half to take a two-goal lead, but we conceded that goal, which we could have dealt with better. In the second half, (Galatasaray) improved. They had five at the back, not four, and had corner kicks, the last one of which could have won them the game… But the team played well. Although it’s not just the forwards who need to be decisive. Baena, Giuliano, Johnny, and set plays need to result in goals… We can’t always focus solely on the forwards.”
Diego Simeone on the substitutions
“We tried to use Antoine’s quality, and Julián inside, to create some plays that would give us the quality we need when there’s little space. Then, with Nico, when the game became back and forth, we put Baena further forward to make something happen.”
Diego Simeone on chances not creating goals
“The only way is to create scoring opportunities. Being decisive makes the difference. We see many teams that, when they score goals, make the difference. We’re on the right track. I insist, we’ll win a game without (a lot of shot attempts).”
Diego Simeone on rating the performance
“Great, the boys played spectacularly. The opener was a great goal. As a coach, I see no other way than to keep insisting on getting closer to creating chances, luck and decisiveness from everyone, not just Griezmann, Sorloth and Julián.”
Diego Simeone on the result
“I don’t dwell on the point. You get what you deserve, and today we only deserved one because we couldn’t convert the scoring opportunities we had. I’m leaving with the feeling that the team is doing well and that we’re not going to let up, but to score goals, everyone has to improve.”
