Diego Simeone, head coach of Atlético Madrid, reiterated this Tuesday that the “match-by-match” approach is the only way to prepare for each fixture, as it is only the present that matters. He emphasized that “no one cares” that Slovan Bratislava arrives with five days of rest while his side has had not even “68 hours” between their thrilling 4-3 victory over Sevilla and this Wednesday’s clash with the Slovak club in the sixth round of the Champions League.
“There is a lot left to play for. We focus on the match at hand; there’s no other way to prepare. We will be judged by our performance this Wednesday, as that’s how it is. Nobody cares that the opponent had two more days off; they come with five days of rest, and we haven’t even had 68 hours. But no one cares. This Wednesday we have to play. If we win, everyone will praise us, and if not, they will criticize. That’s your part, and that’s our part,” asserted Simeone.
Slovan Bratislava sits second to last, still without a point in this edition of the Champions League. “We don’t analyze our opponents by their position in the table but rather by their characteristics. We will face a team that defends quite deep in their Champions League matches, working collectively to maintain strength and, from there, looking to exploit counterattacks,” the coach analyzed, noting that he focused on studying the recent Champions League matches of their opponent. “I imagine that is the match we will have to play and take it to where we believe we can hurt them,” he added, advocating for an “intelligent” game that adapts to the challenge at hand. “And, depending on what unfolds during the match, we will adjust accordingly,” he continued.
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Atlético Madrid is on a nine-match winning streak following a shaky start to the season. “Teams grow as matches progress, and it’s normal for a team to have ups and downs in performance because of the many matches we play. We are always expected to give our best in every game, and it is not easy,” he recounted. “It’s clear that the matches generate situations and partnerships that one sees, and we strive to align ourselves with what the team is conveying. In this recent phase, we have found solutions, whether through those starting or the players coming on in the second half. What happened in the last 15 or 20 minutes of the games is no coincidence,” the coach continued. “It’s a method of working and training. The team trains the same way. During this period of matches, we have taken on the situations that sometimes can play against us. We must continue generating this to keep it happening,” he said in response to a question about goals scored in the final stretch of matches.
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Simeone has solidified a more consistent starting eleven in recent matches, with fewer players like Rodrigo Riquelme, Reinildo Mandava, or Alexander Sorloth participating. “If we consider the amount of playing time they’ve had, except for Lemar, most players have had enough minutes to have an opportunity, play, and compete. I always encourage those who might have fewer minutes to keep working,” Simeone explained. “And I have no doubt that the hard work is reflected in Giuliano, Galán, and Lenglet, who hadn’t started off playing but are now in the lineup every match, because they deserve it, because they are performing well, and I have no commitments to anyone,” warned the coach, who reminded that “there are moments when some players are in better form” and that he goes “in that direction” while supporting “what is truly visible.”
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