Oblak: «Losing the Copa hurt, but big games still lie ahead» | OneFootball

WHAT DO THE INJURED PLAYERS BRING TO YOU?

“It’s the hardest thing, when you miss days like these and can’t be with the team. They always contribute; both Giménez and Pablo have been here for a long time. Giménez brings a lot from the outside, and Pablo does too—we care about him a lot. It’s really bad luck with this latest injury, but I’m sure he’ll recover well and that it will make him stronger. He is the future of this club.”

HOW HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED YOUR INJURY?

“Whenever you’re injured, it’s difficult because you help the team in a different way, from the outside. But there are other teammates who do a great job for the team. It’s never nice to be out, but we are a team—we’re not just the 11 on the pitch. 11 play, and the rest of us do what we have to do.”

OPPORTUNITY IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

“I’ve seen the team looking good. It’s a shame we weren’t able to win the Cup final, but that’s in the past. We’re only focused on Wednesday; it’s the most important match of this season. We’re going to enjoy it with the greatest excitement, go for the win, and compete the way matches like this have to be competed in.”

IS THIS TIE SPECIAL?

“It’s always special to play for this club, no matter the match. Of course, the Champions League is a special competition for everyone, but you always feel incredibly good when you put on this shirt. It doesn’t matter what match it is. We’re in the semifinals again after many years, and that’s what I tell the younger players. When you’re young, you think you’re always going to play these kinds of matches, and that’s not the case. I’m very happy to be where we are, and we still have a chance in the Champions League. We’re really looking forward to the match, and we’re going to do everything possible to go through.”

THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE OWES ATLÉTICO A TROPHY

“I don’t see football that way—what it owes or doesn’t owe. Life isn’t always fair either, and if you think that way, every one of us is missing something. I don’t think it works like that. This season we’re still alive, with a chance, and that’s the nicest and most important thing. I don’t think it owes us anything. We have to do it on the pitch, we have to win and go for it. It’s not going to come on its own.”

HOW DO YOU HANDLE A HISTORIC SEASON OR ENDING UP WITH NOTHING?

“The pressure is always there, it always is, and that doesn’t change. Whether it’s a Champions League semifinal, the first round of the Cup, or a league match, what the team is looking for is to win. We’re going to enjoy it, with great excitement. I’m happy to be able to play, and we’re going to compete. You can’t say what’s going to happen either. Mentally, we’re prepared and focused on the match, so that each of us can give our best in our own role, and only in this way can great things be achieved.”

CONVERSATIONS AFTER THE CUP FINAL

“Whenever you lose a final like the Cup final, it’s hard and difficult to get back up. But the season isn’t over; there are still important matches left, and the team knows it, the players know it. We’ve all been disappointed, but there’s no time to look down—only up. The season ends in a month and a half, so the Cup final was lost in April. We’ll draw our conclusions about the season at the end.”

HOW ARE YOU AFTER YOUR INJURY?

“I’m very well. I wanted to be at 100%. I needed a month to recover. I didn’t play in the second leg against Barcelona, and Musso did very well; we got through to the semifinals, which is the important thing. What matters are the club’s successes, and the tie against Barcelona allowed us to reach the semifinals. I’m at 100%; that’s what I was aiming for in this recovery, and I’m ready to help the team.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.