Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone spoke to the media from the Estadio Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Saturday night following a 3-2 win over Athletic Club.
Asked how the locker room is feeling, Simeone explained “we have to keep working the way we are. We’ve gotten to where we are by competing the way we do. Nothing has stopped us so far.
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“Everything we do has built a driving force to keep pursuing the goals the club needs and the fans want,” Simeone said. “This year we’re closer to what the fans need, which is to play in finals. We played in the Copa del Rey final and ended up losing, (now) we’ll play in the Champions League semi-final. The fans are excited, it helps the club grow and it makes us stronger because we have what it takes to be where we are. We’re facing a very good opponent that we already faced at the start of the season. It will be difficult, complex, like any Champions League semi-final.”
Diego Simeone on Barrios’ injury
“I haven’t seen him yet. I’m sure they’ll let us know soon what kind of injury he has. Life often throws obstacles in our path, and this year he’s been facing them in the form of injuries. He needs to see this as a learning experience, with the strength and determination to learn from what’s happening to him. Stay strong, keep working.
“Before the game, I told him I have a lot of confidence in him. He’s very important to us, and we’re waiting for him. Hopefully, it’s nothing serious, and he can be with us for the end of the season.”
Simeone on preparation for Arsenal
“We knew the opponent we were facing (on Saturday). The first half was sluggish, we didn’t play the game we wanted to. We spoke clearly at half-time, and the players interpreted what we discussed very well and executed it perfectly on the field. We went up 3-1, though it ended up 3-2. And it helps us try to catch up to Villarreal, which is our goal in La Liga and what we’ll strive to achieve.”
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Simeone on the importance of a win
“The points mattered a lot. We have a better advantage than before the match against Betis, and we’re closer to Villarreal, which is the team we’re aiming to catch. Football goes through moments and situations. The first half wasn’t good, and any play can get you back in the game, as happened in the second half, which I thought was very good.”
Simeone on a Champions League semi-final and its importance
“What you described sums up how we and our fans feel. It’s been a struggle for Atlético to reach Champions League semi-finals and finals. We’ve built this through hard work and with the support of our fans. We need them more than ever, and hopefully we can give them what they want on the field.”
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Simeone on the half-time team talk
“In the first half, we couldn’t play the game we wanted to. We had the intention and the desire, but not the composure to go out and get it. We talked at half-time and said what we were thinking. Football can change with a single play, and that’s exactly what happened. We quickly tied it up at 1-1, then took the lead at 2-1 and started controlling the game better. The finish, with the 3-1 and 3-2, leaves us with a good feeling. We needed a win in La Liga to close the gap on Villarreal, which is our goal, and see if we can reach (third place).”
Simeone on Baena and Sørloth
“You can see it for yourself. Intensity is what largely determines what players can give. They’re good; sometimes things go better, other times not so well, but the work, the intensity, and the commitment are there. They speak for themselves, and this time they spoke, especially in the second half, where you could see the team went for the win.”
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Simeone on Griezmann’s goal and substitution
“That’s what sets players like Antoine apart, the little details that make the difference. He set the stage for the comeback, and we knew he’d given his all, so we needed fresh legs.”
