Diego Pablo Simeone appeared at a press conference after the victory (2-1) of Atletico Madrid against him Leipzig during its premiere in this Champions League. After the match in MetropolitanThe Argentinian made the most of the three points from a superb goal by Jose Maria Gimenez In the 90th minute, the Uruguayan central defender rose higher than anyone else to head in a cross from Antoine Griezmann with his right leg and gave his team a very valuable victory on his European debut.
“What happened in the game was everything we had imagined. We controlled 80% of the game. We could not avoid the counterattack of their goal. From that moment on, we supported them very well, there was no counterattack. We had four important goal situations to score. The goal did not come and so it all started with a great recovery of Julian in the middle of the field which ends with a brilliant pass from Llorente and Griezmann’s goal. Between 60′ and 70′ we readjusted to the changes. We continue to have goal situations and thanks to God came at the end. Deserved after a great match,” he began.
“The approach was what was seen. We started the game with more offensive people. We knew they were going to be brave. They allowed us to make good outings with BeltGriezmann and Julián inside and I think as the game went on I saw that in the second half we could continue attacking with other players. Gallagher gave more legs, Linen more freshness and Sorloth more presence in the territory. A stronger team was reflected in the recovery of the ball and the continuation of the attack. The goal came later,” he analyzed.
“The one who is happiest is him. We need him that way. It has always been differential and when everything goes well, different things happen. We have to demand that he continues in this line and that the team accompanies him,” he said about Griezmann, author of the equalizer.
The position of Simeone and Julián
“Julián plays as a striker, which is his position and I don’t see any strange situation,” he replied when asked if the Argentine was playing in his natural position. “I give him minutes because he is a very important player for us, he demonstrates his hierarchy and he does it. He does not achieve the objective as he would like, nor does Sörloth, but we will continue working, in the meantime because the objectives will arrive,” he assured.
“We started the game with Griezmann on the left and Correa on the right to be able to break with the right leg. I liked that, they did a lot of interesting things and we had a lot of dangerous situations offensively. That’s why we did it,” he explained about the demarcation of his attackers.
“Our people are different. It’s no coincidence what happens to us when we play at home. There is unconditional support and in the effort we can make, we try to return it with the energy we have,” he said of the red and white fans. “I liked it, it was a tough and hard game. Playing against us will have put more pressure on his head. He played a correct game and controlled it quite well. We wish him the best because he behaved very well with us,” he concluded, speaking of his former player who now plays for Leipzig. Vermeeren.
