Diego Pablo Simeonecoach ofAtletico Madridspoke to the media ahead of the match against Valladolid (Saturday, 9pm). The 6-0 defeat against Sparta Prague in the Champions League boosted the team’s spirits colchoneros and now they are looking for the seventh consecutive symphony among all competitions: “I speak in reference to what I have seen lately from Valladolid. It is an extremely competitive team, it always plays with great commitment and a great collective spirit. I cannot imagine a different scenario from the one shown against Athletic, Villarreal and most of the match against Getafe. Very intense, higher than the last games we played. We hope to be at the same level of intensity as them.”
What makes you happiest about Julián’s work?
“On an individual level, his nobility in playing football. His hierarchy grows, he goes from less to more and finds the path he is looking for.”
What do you think of the Giuliano Simeone-Llorente tandem? How do they connect?
“The positive thing is that when Nahuel (Molina, ed.) was there, he also responded. Now Marcos (Llorente, ed.) is starting to improve: the other day he started from less to get to more, and when he starts to take protagonism within the team and the game, he offers us many options in attack. He has an enormous collective effort, he helps both in the defensive and offensive phases, and we hope he maintains this rhythm. The team is working well as a block, and so on we hope to continue like this.”
Do you see Atleti a little better than Madrid and Barça?
“I don’t compare myself to anyone. We look at ourselves and try to improve and grow as a team every day, regardless of what happens to others.”
Do you feel there is growth in the team beyond the results?
“The team is improving. It has been growing for a couple of weeks with much more solid teamwork. Defensively we have improved, and offensively we are growing. Those who come in do so very well, and this is the strength of the team: not just those who leave owner, but also those who come in to make their contribution”.
How much room for improvement does the team have? In what aspects?
“In all areas. I have no doubt that we can improve defensively with greater application in some situations, and in the offensive phase we have important potential that we are slowly discovering. We need to maintain stability, confidence and that everyone finds their best version in every position”.
Do you feel satisfied with this moment?
“I’m happy with what’s happening to the team, but I also know the responsibility we have. I’ve seen Valladolid, and they have great intensity, greater than the last opponents. We have to take the match where we think we can do badly.”