Simeone was very satisfied with the game his team played against Real Madrid. The red and white coach deemed Bellingham deserved to be sent off for a vicious challenge on Correa.
Almost perfect match. “Good, happy. The team played well. With 2-0 we came back a lot, we gave them a lot of opportunities to play where they are best. They have many situations, even without Joselu. They made it difficult for us at 2-1. We talked at half-time that if we continue like this, we have a big chance of losing. We had to play, find the far post because they struggled to close and that’s what Morata did to make it 3-1.
The team started well on both fronts. “We tell them the same thing as always, but in some days they are better. Today they are very good. There is a very strong togetherness, a stadium that is accompanied and felt. “It is not easy when it happens those situations.”
He attacked the back of the flanks. “They work that way. They defended very well in other games and when their full-backs came out there were options for our interiors. “It is the pursuit of the second goal, where they suffer the most.”
How important is it to see Griezmann’s defense in place?: “In my time we had good players who represented these types of situations with actions. Griezmann has no difficulty to return, to patience, to play the game he has to play. That’s why he is one of the most important players in the team, also for Lino, Riquelme, for the youngsters… That we can copy the good things.”
Is there a special marking in Bellingham?: “No, the spaces are reduced and I think that the absence of Joselu leaves him a little possibility to reach, when he takes advantage of Joselu’s aerial game. We control it better, it’s amazing. Madrid showed on the field that something always happens. Fortunately 3-1 took the space where they were better, with 2-1 and stage fright. For us this victory is very important .”
How did you see Bellingham’s foul on Correa?: “It looked like a live ejection to me, tough leg, with Angelito hitting the ball. If you see it you can comment on it better. “
And the one from Giménez to Rodrygo?: “A violent foul, it’s yellow because it goes sideways. Bellingham continues and it seems a little bit to me.
He beat Ancelotti eight times. “The important thing is for the team to regain its spirit, the desire to play. He looked for a complex approach for us with five midfielders, but the goals came and he couldn’t play his game. It’s a good bet.”
Later, with his black suit and his two daughters as spectators, Simeone appeared in the press room relaxed and with a slight aphonia in his vocal cords. That of the major parties. Satisfied, he spoke about the unity between the stands and the team. Proudly, he talks about his sons.
Morata: “He played a fantastic game beyond the two goals, for his involvement, his involvement in the work… We need this Morata, we know he can do it. “That he has his weapons to reach the numbers he is looking for and we need, based on the confidence that is always given and I hope he can maintain this level with the Spanish National Team and Atleti because it is good for everyone. .”
What was the victory against Madrid based on?: “We played a very good game. I interpreted it like this. In the first half we won strongly. We know we can do damage on the sides, suffering lateral centers at the far post. We tried to train him, find him, and they executed it in the best way. The biggest thing now is the spirit, from the top to the people, from the bottom to the people, if we are together we will be stronger. We came from the Valencia game, which I said I was not worried about. There are national teams, trips… The boys played a great game in Rome and now they are playing a game that people should see today. Passionate, competitive, aggressive. We talked at half-time that, if we come back like we did at 2-0, that place is all dangerous. We tried to start the attack in the second half and that goal appeared and we moved away from the space where Madrid felt safe and scared the opponents.
Koke: “It is very important to us. He came from two or three training sessions and the team needed his number on the field. Their presence creates positive things for us. At the end of the first half I thought he gave us what we needed. Then Witsel came in and did very well, Correa and Galán who, in that small part, showed rebellion…”
What fulfills you more: defense or offense?: “It was a very good game. After 2-0 we came back too much and gave them the feeling of too much which they handled well and then we got back to the offense on the offensive side and played, played, played. When these children are together, they are sociable and have a spirit that wants to show themselves that they want to look for companion games and play.
Intensity: “Great teams are able to translate offensive and defensive energy in the best way and that increases your chances and the game.”
What do you say to those who, despite winning 3-1, accuse you of being defensive?: “I don’t start to interpret what others think, I interpret what I see, I interpret that the team played well game from the beginning. defensive and offensive and it makes me happy that tomorrow Monday the boys will go to school wearing the Atlético shirt. That makes me very happy”.
