Simeone asks for time before Osasuna: “In football, it doesn’t exist” | OneFootball

Atlético de Madrid return to the Metropolitano this Wednesday (7:00 p.m., M+LaLiga) after almost a month without playing in front of their fans, and they do so needing to confirm the good feelings from Anoeta against an Osasuna side arriving wounded, in a match marked by absences and by Simeone’s message: “We need time, which doesn’t exist in football.”

Diego Pablo Simeone’s team come into the match with ten points from a possible fifteen and with a feeling that is still hard to decipher. The 0-3 win in San Sebastián helped restore confidence after an uneven start, but the Argentine coach insists that his Atlético still need time to fully find their identity.

The problem is that time is precisely what exists least in football. “The team is under construction. We’ll improve by playing. That’s how I feel: we are under construction, we need time, which doesn’t exist in football,” Simeone admitted before the match. A sentence that perfectly sums up the moment for an Atlético side that underwent a major overhaul during the summer.

Simeone asks for patience amid a full rebuild

The red-and-white coach is not hiding from the difficulties. Seven players left the team during the summer and five new signings arrived, along with several academy players who have had to take on prominent roles from the outset. Building a new Atlético while competing every three days is the challenge Simeone is facing.

“We have a competitive team,” the Argentine argued, aware that the sensations are still not what he is looking for. The win against Real Sociedad, however, has helped restore some calm after the defeat to Athletic and the European opener at Anfield.

Now the task is to bring that improvement to the Metropolitano. And Simeone knows the fans will play an important role. “We need our people. We’re coming off a huge effort in these previous matches, we need the energy of the stadium,” the coach urged. Atlético return home after four consecutive away games and need their crowd to once again become a decisive factor.

Julián out, and Jonathan David facing his big opportunity

The match will also be marked by absences in attack. Julián Álvarez will not be available against Osasuna after Simeone confirmed that the Argentine is still recovering from the muscle issue that already kept him out in San Sebastián. The forward had started at Anfield, but now will have to wait to return to action.

The responsibility will fall especially on Jonathan David. The Canadian made the most of his minutes against Real Sociedad to score his first goal for Atlético, and now emerges as one of the biggest talking points ahead of the clash at the Metropolitano. Simeone has not yet decided whether he will start or be used again as an impact substitute, a decision he will make on the day of the match.

The coach will also have to manage fatigue. Atlético returned late from Liverpool after their Champions League opener and have barely had time to recover before visiting Anoeta and now returning to Madrid. That is precisely why Simeone has tried to play down the criticism and frame it as part of the team’s growth process.

“We’re used to the negativity from a lot of people; whenever there’s a chance to criticize, they’re there. It’s part of growing and improving, so it’s welcome,” said El Cholo. The message is clear: Atlético are still searching for their best version.

Osasuna arrive at the Metropolitano needing a response

On the other side will be an Osasuna team that need to change the momentum after suffering two consecutive defeats. The Navarrese side lost their last match against Espanyol and head to the Metropolitano aiming to halt a run that has left them shaken at the start of the campaign.

Simeone, in fact, has warned that he is not expecting an easy task. “We need to put in an important performance, against an opponent with the same need to pick up points as us,” the coach explained. A statement that serves as a warning for an Atlético side that cannot afford to relax after their win in San Sebastián.

The red-and-white objective is to take three points that would allow them to approach Sunday’s big match with greater calm. Because after Osasuna, Real Madrid will come to the Metropolitano, and Simeone wants to head into the derby with his team still growing, not forced to start over again.

Atlético have already shown that they can compete away from home and that they can also win convincingly. Now they have to show that they can do it consistently. The Metropolitano is back in the spotlight, Osasuna arrive in need, and the derby is already looming on the horizon.

Simeone is asking for time, but he knows football does not grant it. Atlético have ninety minutes to keep building.

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