Simeone: Fans’ unwavering support brings greater responsibility | OneFootball

HOW MUCH DOES YOUR EXCITEMENT SHOOT UP AFTER LAST NIGHT?

"The responsibility keeps growing. I take responsibility and with the team's work, we will surely compete well, as I mentioned to the people who approached yesterday. We had a very nice event. As I said, we have the purpose of continuing to grow as a club, which is wonderful. And being part of that growth, with the people, with many people who have been working here. And it makes us happy. From there, the commitment to making them feel identified with what the team does. And from that, good things will surely happen."

WHAT OPTIONS DO YOU HAVE FACING BAENA'S ABSENCE?

"We know the characteristics of Elche, how they have been working, they did very well last year, with committed football and good play. I don't imagine any other scenario than the one they represented last season. We, based on the options we have, will try to take the match to where we think we can do damage."

HOW DO YOU SEE THE TEAM?

"The boys look very good, in the same way they were expecting the match against Espanyol. We played a match with many good things and things to improve, obviously. Tomorrow I expect an intense match from both teams. They will demand that we give our maximum."

WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO THE PLAYERS?

"It doesn't change much from what we were working on at the start of pre-season. To have clear what we have to do, focus on ourselves and continue growing. With the security that the team gives us, that appears within the game."

HAVE YOU GIVEN A LOT OF THOUGHT TO THE CHANGES THE OTHER DAY?

"I'm not going to explain each change I make. But, for the information of, possibly, those who are watching all the training sessions, didn't see. Baena for Sørloth, who last week had a loaded ischium and missed several training sessions. That's why we understood that starting with Álex (Baena), who was also bothered by his adductor. Last week he also had discomfort, in the match against Espanyol. And beyond this, which I'm not going to explain every day, I think the changes were good. But the team couldn't express what the changes intended to do. The play in the 70th minute, with Ruggeri and Rasapadori, who breaks through the bottom, throws the center back and doesn't reach the 0-2. And then their goals appeared and we ended up losing a match that we didn't deserve to lose. But we will win some that we don't deserve to win."

WHAT DOES THE SUPPORT OF THE FANS MEAN?

"Emotion. After so much time here, having the unconditional support of the people who represent me, generates an even greater responsibility than the one I have. I know that we are going through an important moment, with many changes, and it's an important process, beautiful, growth, very good footballers who need time and that we have to shorten. We have to shorten it to try to make the people feel represented on the field."

ABSENCE OF GIMÉNEZ

"He will be back when the doctors understand that he is in condition to start working. That will be great, Giménez is very important, he is one of our captains and we need him. He will join the team when the doctors deem it appropriate."

AFTER 14 YEARS, HOW MUCH DOES ATLÉTICO NEED TO CHANGE TO CONVINCE?

"I don't know if the word is change, but rather reinvent itself. I've been here for 14 years and it's because I reinvent myself always, or I try to. And beyond those who have a monologue, when difficult moments appear, reality is what it is. It doesn't need to be explained."

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