Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone addressed the media on Saturday before his team welcomed Real Mallorca to the Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Simeone was asked why fans should trust out-of-form forward Julian Alvarez and whether the striker believes in himself. Argentines responded angrily.
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“Really? Are you seriously asking me that?” he initially responded. “The fact is, Julian Alvarez believes in himself because of his name, his stature and his track record.”
Diego Simeone on the importance of Antoine Griezmann’s absence
“The absence of a player like Antoine Griezmann, whether he starts or comes on as a substitute, is always felt, but it is clear that he is always a very important player for the team.”
Diego Simeone on Robin Le Normand’s fitness
“He’s doing a great job. The fact is that there is very healthy competition in the centre-back area. We have four very good players, plus Clement Lenglet who is now fit, so we have to work hard to find the best solution for the team.”
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Diego Simeone on the team’s physical and mental state
“Well, the truth is, I see the team looking for what we want, both physically and mentally. Sometimes it works in our favor, sometimes it doesn’t, but the goal is still the same: Expect what we want, create scoring chances, defend better than we are now so any small advantage is worth it. That will allow us to grow as a team overall.”
Diego Simeone on lack of attacking sharpness
“As we explained after Wednesday’s game, always interpreting the final stages in the best possible way will make you stand out and, of course, with team effort, energy and commitment we will find possibilities to increase the score and that’s what the game is about.”
Diego Simeone minutes played for the reserves
“If the game calls for it and the head coach decides they can play, then of course they will. That’s why they’re with us; otherwise, they wouldn’t be with us.”
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Diego Simeone on transfer window and managing congestion
“The truth is, the only thing that matters is the result and then everything that might happen along the way, whatever might happen when one player leaves and another arrives. But the only thing that matters for everyone is the result and hopefully it will be a positive result. Tomorrow we play Mallorca, a complex team that, like us, has an important need. They are coming off an important win against Bilbao, so we have to play where we think we can hurt them.”
Diego Simeone on players missing in training
“We usually bring in players to make up for absences and if we have to work in two positions we balance things out. We try to make up for that by bringing in players who can help us and who we know can help the club at some point.”
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Diego Simeone on managing break between La Liga and Champions League
“I’m only thinking about Mallorca because we need to continue to maintain the pace of the league and obviously for that we need to play an important game tomorrow. I can’t think of anything except the game in Mallorca.”
