Koke: «It’s a match that could go down in history» | OneFootball

Koke was the player chosen to speak to the media ahead of the Atlético de Madrid – FC Barcelona Champions League quarter-final. The captain, together with Simeone, reflected on a historic week for the team of his life.

A MATCH FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS

“Obviously, it’s a match that could go down in history. Playing in a Champions League quarter-final and trying to reach the semi-finals is something incredible and historic. We’re focused only on this match, not on the Copa final or what may come after. We’re approaching it like a final and going all out to win it.”

WHAT HAS CHANGED SINCE YOUR LAST SEMI-FINAL?

“My age has changed, I’m a bit older. But I still have the same desire, ambition and excitement to want to win every match. Yes, I did imagine being here, I imagined the club’s growth. But you dream of being at the highest level, and fortunately right now both the club and I are at the highest level. Hopefully we can reach the semi-finals, which is what we all want.”

HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT THAT GOAL AGAINST BARCELONA?

“I’ve watched the goal several times. When these matches come around, you get motivated and try to visualize positive things, like in 2014, in 2016, or the one from a week ago. You try to look at the best moments, take in positive things, and of course I remember that goal. I remember what the crowd was like at the Calderón and what they’ll be like tomorrow. We need all our fans, for them to be there like they always are, like in the Copa del Rey. Hopefully it will be a beautiful night for everyone.”

WHAT DOES SIMEONE MEAN TO YOU?

“He knows it all. Thanks to him, the club has grown the way it has. Along with the players, we’ve fully followed an incredible idea, we’ve trusted him, we still do, and that’s why there has been this growth and this level. He’s my coach, the one who believed in me. He knows that beyond the coach-player relationship, we’ve never crossed that line, and he knows how much I care about him as a coach and as a person. Whatever I have to say to him, we say it privately, and he knows how much affection I have for him.”

HOW DO YOU SEE THE DRESSING ROOM?

“My teammates are extremely motivated. It’s normal for Barcelona to be excited about coming back; if you told me otherwise, it would be strange. We’re motivated, eager and respectful. We really want to put in a great performance at home and win the match so we can be in the semi-finals.”

KOKE, ARE YOU STAYING NEXT YEAR?

“I’ve decided what I’m going to do tomorrow. I’m going to give everything I have to get us through. There will be time to talk about my future; now is not the moment. Everybody knows how I feel, but this is not the time. I’m fully focused on tomorrow and on reaching the semi-finals.”

THE IMPORTANCE OF WANTING THE BALL

“It’s hugely important to play our way out of the pressure they usually apply. They press very high, push their line up to midfield, they press you, and that’s where our personality comes in: wanting the ball, making ourselves available, making runs in behind... We know each other perfectly, and it will be very important to take the ball away from them and attack the spaces.”

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