Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone spoke to the media following the team’s 1-0 win over Getafe in La Liga on Sunday afternoon as he praised the squad and the result.
“The best result is 1-0. We worked well defensively and we were solid in attack. When you win 4-3, you have to check a lot of things in defence. In the 1-0 win, both the defensive and offensive work is very valuable,” he explained.
“It’s not that I always like to win 1-0; of course I would like, like everyone else, to get better results, but that score has a great significance,” he continued, reinforcing his positivity after the hard-fought three points were secured at the Estadio Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
Simeone on the impact of players off the bench
“Before the game, I spoke to the players. I recognised the guys who were not in the line-up. We have repeated the formation several times and there are players who are competing in an extraordinary way, showing what they can do when it’s their turn to come on. Let Llorente and Giuliano come off and Nahuel and Correa come on. Bring on Sorloth for Lino. Let Koke come in. That’s our strength. To compete the way we want to, we have to do it that way. César is less involved; Conor didn’t play, but he’s been doing a great job. That’s the strongest point we have.”
Simeone on Alexander Sørloth
“That’s what we need from him. He’s helping us the way he’s helping us, he’s getting involved. We repeated in other games that he had had chances. When you have them, the goals come. It’s a great goal, possibly the most difficult of the last few chances he had. The cross was extraordinary and the header was perfect. It unblocked a match that, as always happens with Getafe, is not easy.”
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Simeone on the league table and title race
“We have to take it one game at a time. There is no other way. You have to work with humility, try to keep improving, rest and face the match against Barça.”
Simeone on the variety in his squad
“I always say that, although the focus is on those who are in the line-up, one imagines different situations and possible responses to what can happen. We have those answers, but they depend on commitment. It’s not easy to do that, although it’s nice to say. But it shows when you execute, and we see it. When someone comes in, they give their all, and I’m proud of that.”
Simeone on how the squad handles his rotation policy
“I’m representing what I feel. The players know that, I have no commitment to anyone. This is reflected in Koke, a very important man in our journey, who knows that if we need him for 20 minutes, he comes in and he’s a great player in those 20 minutes. That excites me.”
Simeone on the match against Barcelona
“I don’t know how you think we’ll approach the game. In the end what will tell if it’s good or bad is the result.”
Simeone on how the team’s form has evolved since the start of the season
“I am repetitive, boring. I’m not going to change. Until the day I leave, it will be game by game. If we get out of that approach, there is no light.”
Simeone on changes since last season
“That’s a complex question. I always feel that the guys want to give their best, but there are times when it shows and times when it doesn’t. Last year we couldn’t achieve what we wanted to achieve. Last year we couldn’t achieve what we were looking for, and today, fortunately, you can see it in the results.”