“I understand that, obviously, we always have to promote the product of the match, the derby, and the selling point of what is going to happen with all the great footballers on the pitch. But that is part of your role (the media). It’s normal for this to come up, and we, both the players and the coaches, just have to focus on what matters, which is what we each need to do from our position this Sunday,” continued Simeone, who has balanced the derby during his time at Atlético.
This will be the 44th clash for the Argentine coach against Real Madrid at the helm of the Rojiblancos, with 12 wins, 15 draws, and 16 losses in the previous 43 official competitions. Of the last five meetings, he has only lost one. “Since my arrival, a lot has changed. This is also a part of what has improved,” he stated.
“That’s why the club has grown as it has, the team is where it is, and the team is expected to perform at that level. We must accept this growth that we’ve all experienced since my arrival to today. It is evident in this situation, which is just one of many we could discuss,” explained Simeone, emphasizing that “every match is a ten in importance; there is no seven in every match,” whether or not it’s against Real Madrid.
Atlético triumphed in both derbies last season at the Metropolitano, winning 3-1 and 4-2. “The opponent has lost a crucial player in the midfield like Kroos. Or rather, he has stopped playing. An extraordinary player, admired by all coaches and necessary for any team to provide the balance he has always given to the team,” he reflected regarding their recent double confrontation.
“I think they are in that process; looking for that midfielder who can provide calm to fully utilize the offensive power they have. I don’t think it will differ much from the last matches we have played against them because we have brought in a new player, but they will maintain their core. Whether Modric, Endrick, or Güler plays, it won’t change Madrid’s game plan,” he added.
Kylian Mbappé will not play due to injury. “Knowing the manager (Carlo Ancelotti of Real Madrid), he’ll either look to play like he did at the start with Bellingham as a playmaker or left midfielder, or with Modric appearing in the middle, behind Rodrygo and Vinicius,” he conveyed.
Atlético continues to emphasize offensive improvement and attacking partnerships, which Simeone has discussed in his last two press conferences. “It’s hard to change what we’ve been doing in two days from the Thursday match to Sunday. It’s clear that it’s a job that starts from here going forward, when we have a bit more time to understand the players to encourage us to do more,” he noted.
“Today we are still in the process of finding what we believe will give us more balance and lead to better combinations. Sometimes we get it right, sometimes we don’t. Or we change during the second half. But we do need a bit of time. There won’t be much change from Thursday to Sunday, honestly,” he remarked.
Beyond the physical aspect, Simeone also mentioned the significance of the mental side in such matches. “Everything starts in the mind, that’s clear. Beyond the physical aspect that can influence a specific moment in the game, it’s clear that motivation for everything in life is a double-edged sword for those who can utilize it,” he expressed.
