Ahead of Atlético Madrid’s UEFA Champions League play-off first leg against Club Brugge, coach Diego Simeone spoke to the media for a pre-match press conference.
Simeone was asked specifically about his defenders, and this season’s first-choice pairing of Marc Pubill and Dávid Hancko, of whom he said “I think it’s clear what both of them can contribute, as first and foremost, they have good positional play, I think they both fit in very well on the pitch because of their characteristics.
“They’re both
fast, both good at bringing the ball out… They need to improve in some areas, like all footballers, obviously but contributing to this stage of the championship, which is doing the team a lot of good,” he said.
Simeone further broke down the defensive options at his disposal after rotation against Rayo Vallecano at the weekend led to an ugly 3-0 defeat.
“In the last match, José María Giménez didn’t play badly, Clément Lenglet didn’t have a good night, but we’re there trying to get everyone in the best shape, because Dávid Hancko and Marc Pubill alone aren’t enough for everything that’s coming.” Simeone said. “The team belongs to everyone, not just 10 players.”
Diego Simeone on Álex Baena
“He always has a positive attitude, with a willingness to always give his best and a talent that sets him apart from the other midfielders we have. We need more from him and obviously we are going to demand what we see he has.”
Simeone on his personal reflection of the season
“I have a thought that I recently confirmed with my mum after my dad’s death (in 2022), because my mum was calm, she was at peace, and I said to her: how can you be so calm? Dad died. It’s because I gave everything, she told me. I gave all the love I had. That’s why I acted the same way when I had to stop playing and today, in reality, I have no need to look back and say: oh, I’d like to play. No, no, no. When I had to be there, I was there. When I had to play, I played. And when I had to give everything, I gave it. Sometimes I did well, sometimes I did badly, but I always gave 100 percent. And that gives me the peace of mind and tranquillity to face my life, to live in the same way my mum taught me.”
Simeone on motivation and consistency
“The players always go out there motivated. It’s very difficult for a player to go out and play badly. Koke said it, there are times when things go better; the team has a pattern and confidence in their play, and there are games when they don’t. It happens in several leagues. In these past four games, good things and bad things happened to us.”
Simeone on the Champions League
“Watching the Champions League, having always played in it, all the teams are good. There aren’t any bad ones. All the situations that can generate that strength generate calm. All teams are capable of generating that. Like all Champions League matches, especially away from home, we’ll have to play a tough and difficult match and try to get the result we want.”
