Ahead of the match against Mallorca, the Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone commented: “When we talk about defense we misunderstand and think that it’s the three, four or five at the back. The defense is a team and when you work as a team the defense always improves. We conceded many goals because the team attacked from team and we suffered a lot because we certainly couldn’t work in defense as we should have worked as a team.
What do you say to those who believe that being fourth is a small thing?
“Let’s think about the Mallorca match. We hope we can finish in the top four, as we have done for years. Every day it’s more difficult, I say it, Real is growing, Athletic is growing, Sevilla hasn’t been able to compete like the others years, but the others are growing, not to mention Girona’s present… We must improve, without a doubt.”
Is part of the greatness of what we have achieved that entering the Champions League seems like too little?
“I can’t stop at this because it’s a match against a very tough opponent, who works in an incredible way. With a coach who I admire, for his calm, for his knowing how to be, for knowing how to compete wherever he is and with any team I admire these coaches. We will end up with a tough, difficult, blocked match like the ones Mallorca always tries to compete with. When the season ends and the accounts are closed, I will be able to say what I feel about all this and what I think.”