Simeone: "I liked the team, we forced the mistakes to happen" | OneFootball

Simeone analyzes Atlético de Madrid’s thrashing victory that puts the tie on track against Tottenham and takes a giant step towards the Champions League round of 16.

FEELINGS AFTER THE 5-2

“I liked the team, we forced the errors to make them happen. That gave us the confidence to gain a significant advantage in the first half. We could have handled their first goal better. From 4-2 we went to 5-1 between Julián and Griezmann and the finish after 50 meters carrying the ball. Then their goal came after our mistake. We’ll enjoy this win, but the Champions League is tough and there’s no result that guarantees you’ll go through.”

GRIEZMANN CONFIRMS HE’S STAYING

“I’m very happy with Antoine’s explanation. He knows how important he is to Atlético’s history. I hope it ends in the best possible way, as he deserves, and we can finish an extraordinary season.”

JULIÁN GETS HIS GROOVE BACK

“I see him happy, content, scoring goals. Of all the teams he’s been with, this is where he’s scored the most goals. He looks committed, positive, he’s back to the level he was at. I’m happy with him, I hope he can stay for many years. Hopefully we can build a good team so they all stay.”

CRAZY START

“It was a match where things were forced to happen. Everything went our way in those 22 minutes. Not every match is the same. I remember the 3-0 at the Bernabéu and after 20 minutes we were 2-0 up and then Benzema scored a screamer. The Champions League is for important players and every team has them.”

MATCH ANALYSIS

“The first half was better, in the second the substitutions didn’t work as well as other times.”

GREAT GAME FROM CARDOSO

“I think he’s growing. He’s worked hard to improve. That’s why he’s at Atlético. Now he’s getting the continuity he needed, related to what he’s giving the team.”

TOTTENHAM’S LEVEL

“I’ll stick with the good things. Offensively they have important qualities. On set pieces… we got into the game in a way that threw them off, which they might not have expected. And that speaks very well of the work we did.”

ASKING FOR SUPPORT FROM THE STADIUM

“We needed to keep the same intention as at the start. The team played a good game overall and at the beginning forced situations for things to happen. The win could have been even bigger.”

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A GOALKEEPER SUBSTITUTION SO EARLY?

“No, not at a professional level, no. That’s not my problem, it’s their problem, the coach’s, the goalkeeper’s. I don’t comment on other people’s decisions.”

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