Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone spoke to the media ahead of the final match of the UEFA Champions League league stage against Bodø/Glimt at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium on Wednesday night.
Asked if he was surprised by the concern over the lack of incoming signings, Simeone responded: “That is a question that you will answer among yourselves because there is a lot of anxiety and we are at this point.
“Anything can happen until the last day, we are prepared for anything to happen, arrivals and departures,” he stated. “When the window closes, I hope it will be for the benefit of the team and the club, which is what matters.”
Diego Simeone on whether it is true that he has confronted Mateu Alemany over signings
Simeone on the fans demanding a landslide victory
“I understand the need to chase results, numbers, goals. But the only reality is that we have to play the game that we believe we can win and not depend on others, that has to be clear. It will depend on us if there are results that can benefit us, but we have to get a good result and then it will depend.”
Simeone on Bodø/Glimt’s victory over Manchester City
“Not only the victory against City, but how they have been competing. They have had very difficult games, they have played very well away from home, they competed very well in Dortmund, they beat City, they know what they want, with a very fast transition game where they find their number 10, who is their best player. It is a team that plays well technically, knows how to play, and we will have to take the game to where we believe we can do damage.”
Simeone on the Champions League format
“The feeling is great. There was always a need to win, but now even more so. Not repeating games and playing home and away against nobody makes for a spectacular spectacle. And the Champions League is a spectacle, as we are seeing in the last round of games, because the teams at the bottom want to stay and the teams at the top want to qualify for the round of 16, so it’s going to be an exciting night in terms of what could happen in the race to be in the top eight.”
Simeone on Enrique Cerezo is happy with the transfer business carried out
“I’m happy where I am.”
Simeone on competing against anyone in the Champions League
“We competed very well last season and we are doing well this season. Now come the most important moments, tomorrow’s game and what we may face in the round of 32 and round of 16, and last year we did very well.”
Simeone on Thiago Almada’s form
“He is playing at a good pace. He has always had scoring chances when he plays, he always helps with his vision, we need his defensive work and I think there is a nice competition with Baena because of his characteristics, which are different from Nico’s. His growth is good for the team.”
Also selected to address the media was on-loan winger Nico González, who spoke about his future and a possible permanent departure from Juventus.
Nico on reaching the top eight
“First it will be very important to win. Then the results we expect will not influence us, we are focused solely on winning and working with the humility that we have been showing, in trying to get that positive result.”
Nico on advice for Julián Álvarez
“I couldn’t give Julián any advice. He is a top player, hardworking, humble, and these are just streaks in football. I am absolutely sure that he is stronger than anyone and that he will get out of this negative streak, and I am sure that we will be able to celebrate it together.”
Nico on Simeone wants more goals from the center of the field
“It’s work. I think you train to improve. Obviously we can contribute a little more, but we are getting positive results. Everything flows, even on the defensive side. We are very good as a group, and that It influences us to obtain positive results. So it doesn’t matter or influence us whether the goals are scored by forwards, defenders or midfielders. “We know how we want to play.”
“I like that question, but obviously since I put on this shirt I wouldn’t want to let it go, but it depends on me, on the coach, and I’m going to work for it and to achieve the goals and dreams that I have set for myself. Over time, if things go well as I hope, it can happen.”
Nico on knowing the team needs to score
“The team knows it has to win. We are going to work with humility, which is paying off. We have to stay calm, focus on winning with patience and intelligence, and if we have to wait for results, we will do so. But our goal is to win.”
Nico about checking results elsewhere
“That’s part of football. We can’t focus on other games. (Bodø Glimt) is a strong team coming off a victory. We can’t relax. We have to continue working in the same way and get the victory at home.”