Simeone: Atlético have a clear identity, we know exactly how we play | OneFootball

Simeone, accompanied by Julián Alvarez, spoke to the media ahead of the Arsenal – Atlético de Madrid match in the Champions League. At stake: three crucial points and an away game to prove themselves.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM THE MATCH AGAINST ARSENAL?

"We are going to face a very good team, with incredible characteristics in how they manage each match. For five or six years now, since Arteta's arrival, they have had an absolutely clear identity. They don’t compromise on it, they keep bringing in better players, leaving spaces where they need to improve to bring in footballers, and it shows. They have competed in the last few leagues until the end, with merits that didn’t quite come to fruition. But they reflected their identity. Tomorrow we will have to take the game to where we can hurt them. In a wonderful stadium, with fans who will push as we know English football does, and at a high pace of play."

DESPITE THE TRAJECTORY, IS ATLETI DISRESPECTED?

"The good thing in life is that opinions are formed about everything. Everyone has their own path. We have ours. We have a very clear identity, we know how we play, we have evolved according to the characteristics of our players, and we come with the hope of playing a great match. To take home a win away and in the Champions League, and to face it with the intensity that a match like tomorrow's deserves."

WHAT KIND OF MATCH DO YOU ENVISION?

"We envision an intense match, with their pressing in the opponent's half, which they do very well, but they also drop back and are very good at recovering and transitioning. With a very clear game plan, from there, with our characteristics, we will try to take the match to where we believe we can hurt them."

ARSENAL, A GREAT TEAM ON SET PIECES

"The first thing that comes to mind is that they have great ball strikers, tall players, good headers, and they work with a lot of intelligence. It’s a huge strength; in 2014 we won matches that way. It’s a way for them to win games."

COULD A DRAW BE A GOOD RESULT?

"If it’s like last time, as you mentioned, I’d say yes because we played with 10 men for 85 minutes."

SØRLOTH, HOW DO YOU SEE HIM IN THE TEAM?

"Alex’s situation is the same as other teammates. If a team always maintains stability, but it’s very difficult in our team for there to be many players with few minutes. Except for Carlos Martín and Marc, everyone has played quite a bit. In each match we need certain characteristics or a certain approach, and Alex is in the same situation as the rest of the team. When it’s his turn to play, whether it’s 10, 60, or 90 minutes, let’s hope they are good minutes."

PRAISE FROM ARTETA AND POSSIBILITY OF COACHING IN ENGLAND

"I live day by day. It’s an important opinion from a young person with great experience. It’s healthy to listen to it. You never know what will happen tomorrow. We are here today, tomorrow we hope to be at the stadium, and from there, we hope to live day by day with God’s permission."

WHAT WOULD YOU TAKE FROM ARTETA?

"What he’s done since he arrived here, not losing his identity. Being authentic, genuine, being very respectful when he hasn’t won, and life has its turns. Surely all the work he’s doing will pay off soon."

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