Simeone, about his squad: “Better quality than quantity”

The coach of Atlético de Madrid, Diego Pablo Simeone, has assured that he is not worried about being able to face the second part of the season with fewer players than when the season began, since he considers “quality better than quantity”, and has stressed that he has all his “concentration” on the LaLiga EA Sports match this Sunday against Deportivo Alavés.

“We talked about it with Mateu -Alemany-, with Carlos -Bucero-, with Miguel -Gil Marín-… We are working in accordance with what I always say, better quality than quantity,” he declared at a press conference. “We are working according to what the team needs. When something comes out about what the club and we are thinking, we will report,” he added.

In this sense, he did not show concern about having four fewer chips after the confirmed departures. “They know me, they know that I go game by game, trying to analyze with the greatest concentration the rival we have tomorrow. From there, we will behave, thinking only about tomorrow’s game, in which we will be with our people again, since we haven’t been there for a month. We need the affection and affection of our people. I think all the boys want to play a good game,” he indicated.

In another order of things, he spoke about competition in defense. “Both José -Giménez- and Robin -Le Normand- have had their injuries, and at the same time they have taken advantage of the opportunity to play Marc -Pubill- and Hancko. They look good, they know that they have very important competition with very important players for us like Robin and José. They know how to wait, as Marc and Hancko had to wait at the time. Hancko can play as a left back on occasion, it is perceived that he feels more comfortable when he plays as a center back; he is going to help us at some point, surely,” he warned.

“We trust in the four because they are important players. Today it is Marc and Hancko’s turn to start, but in long championships, with many games, we are going to need everyone. When we call Robin or José I have no doubt that they will be prepared to compete,” he continued.

He also surrendered to the work of Frenchman Antoine Griezmann. “What else can we talk about Antoine? It is adding reality and the present. He is a footballer that is always different, with a hierarchy different from the rest. Talent is never lost, and we need it. How much? Whatever the team asks for: 20 minutes, 90, 60… Depending on the coach’s needs and what he can give us. We hope he can continue to maintain all this enthusiasm that he transmits, whether when it is his turn to play or when he is not in the position to play. When he is well, he always transmits positive things with his energy to the team. team,” he stressed, also stating that Thiago Almada is “prepared to compete” and “excited when it’s his turn to do so.”

On the other hand, the Argentine coach commented on the renewal of his son, Giuliano Simeone, until 2030. “The important thing is what happens to Giuliano. He has deserved his renewal, he has done a great personal job, from a place that is not easy, which is being the coach’s son. He has earned it with merits of work, humility, perseverance and demand. We are going to demand even more from him, because he still has things to give,” he expressed, without wanting to talk about his possible contract renewal. “I keep thinking about game by game, which is the only thing that excites me,” he said.

Finally, ‘Cholo’, who in 14 years at Atlético has seen 18 coaches go through Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, ​​analyzed his situation. “I can’t go into detail about so many individual things. Each situation is different from the other, each club is different from the other. I am fortunate to have always had the possibility of being in the same place for so many years and the only thing I always think about is tomorrow, there is no more,” he concluded.