Simeone: Our starting line-up has changed a lot since the start | OneFootball

LaLiga is back and we’re back at the Metropolitano. Before the domestic competition resumes, the Atleti coach, Diego Pablo Simeone, analyzed what he expects from Atlético–Osasuna and how he sees his players after the international break that has just ended.

Return after the break

“The boys who stayed here to work, truth is they had some good weeks. We played the match you saw in Libya to keep the playing line we’d been having. Today will be the first day we’re all together; we’ll assess how they are. We’ll try some things and I’m sure tomorrow we’ll decide who will start tomorrow.”

Mateu Alemany

“I can’t comment, because I’ve only just met him. As we work together, I’ll be able to have an opinion. I understand that whatever comes to help the club and the team is welcome. I wish him the best, because the best from him will be the best for everyone.”

Alessio Lisci

“First, I don’t comment on the opinions of my coworkers or anyone else. I respect all personal opinions. I understand the team is working well; we keep adding positive things and things we need to improve. We’re focused on the situations we need to improve, to be better. From there, I hope the situations we want to improve show up in the game.”

Match in the United States

“Honestly, I’m not going to comment. Because until I see it, I don’t believe it.”

Nico González

“Nico’s characteristics cover many areas. Full-back, winger, interior, forward. Truth is he has different positions in his game. Looking at what the team needs, we’ll look for what we believe can make for a good match.”

Ruggeri

“If we look at who started as a starter at the beginning of the season to today, there have already been quite a few changes. The boys have to be ready for the moment they are called upon during the game. Matteo’s Champions League match was very good. We felt Hancko had to start the Celta match. When we had one sent off, Galán could help us. And when they equalized, we looked to Nico to win it with one less, which was harder. And for that specific reason, he didn’t play in that match. Against Inter, he worked well. As did Griezmann, Almada, Koke, Marc, Giménez and Carlos Martín. Everyone has options to help us.”

Thiago Almada

“Almost all the footballers we have are compatible. Thiago can play as a double pivot, as he has done in France and Brazil, as a left interior, left winger, right winger—though he’s played there less—and even as a second striker. Those are his characteristics, and we need them. Because these are players with a special vision of the game; those passes they find, few see them. And we need him for that. Those kinds of plays. When? When it’s his turn.”

Injuries

“Regarding injuries. Baena’s was appendicitis, nothing to do with football. What we do understand is that we have an important squad, built with a clear head. Thinking about what the team needs and improving on last season. Little by little, the players are finding their best version. We’re finding partnerships so the team responds better on the pitch.”

Osasuna

“We’re facing a complex, tough team, as Osasuna has always been whenever they’ve come to our ground; hopefully we can play a great match. We imagine a hard game, almost always with that system they’ve used lately, more related to five than to four, with an important striker like Budimir to play their offensive cards, with pace from those close to him. Hopefully tomorrow we’ll be surrounded by our people, because we need them, to make us strong at home and keep progressing when it’s our turn away.”

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