Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone was focusing on the positives following a 3-1 victory over Levante at the Estadio Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Saturday evening. The match was once again decided by a second-half substitution, highlighting the impact of strategic changes during the game.
Simeone reflected on the challenge of keeping all bench players satisfied: “It’s impossible. You can’t convince them, because I was a footballer and I know how players feel: they want to play and no explanation is good enough for them when they’re waiting for their chance.
“When they sign their contract, they’re not signing to be a starter, they’re signing to help the team,” he continued. “We all form a team, and the manager decides who starts.”
### Positive Performance and Team Control
Commenting on the team’s performance heading into the international break, Simeone said, “I’m happy with the work the lads are doing. Today was another complete, well-played match, with the aim of controlling the game, which we did throughout.
“They hurt us from set pieces, which they handle so well, and they scored one goal and could have scored another. But we played mostly in their half of the pitch, we kept going, we didn’t get frustrated when they were defending well. The lads who came on in the second half found themselves in a good game and helped us to win it.
“We could have scored more goals and I’m pleased with the ambition that the team showed.”
### Working on Set Pieces
Addressing the team’s struggles to capitalize on numerous corners, Simeone said, “It’s not luck. It’s hard work, persistence, looking for the best partnerships to come together, and finding solutions in the matches.
“We have good scorers and finishers; it’s an area we need to improve and we’re going to work on that to evolve in an important part of these matches, especially against teams that defend so well.
“Having so many chances and not creating danger is a shame.”
### The Impact of Substitutes
Simeone highlighted the value of his bench players, sharing, “Our idea is that we are all part of the team. Eleven players start one match and another 11 start another, but we are all part of the team and that is where the strength of the group lies.
“The players who don’t start do very well; the other day it was Sørloth, today it was Griezmann, and we have to keep everyone engaged in understanding that we are all part of the team. Then the 11 players chosen by the manager start the match.”
On a goal scored just 37 seconds after a substitution, Simeone humorously called it “pure luck.”
### On Julián Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann
When asked about Julián Alvarez allegedly ‘leaving his future open,’ Simeone replied, “I didn’t hear it and he’ll be the one who can explain it best, because he’s the one who said what you say he said.”
Regarding Antoine Griezmann’s changing role in the squad, Simeone explained, “The other day he started in the Champions League. I decide how I feel about each match with the players who can do best for the club and the team.
“The names are a consequence of how I feel about the match and that is what guides me.”
### Importance of the Win and Team Effort
Simeone emphasized the significance of the victory: “It’s always a difficult game against Levante, at least it’s almost always difficult for us.
“We handled it very well, the team controlled the game at all times, took the lead, conceded the equaliser and continued to control it. They were looking for a counter-attack because they have speed, and they work very well from set pieces.
“We played a very complete game; the second half was even better, we kept pushing and there was no frustration at coming up against a team that defends well. We kept pushing and our collective play led to the second goal, the third, and we could have scored more.”
### The Value of the Entire Squad
On the importance of the bench and collective effort, Simeone concluded, “It speaks well of them because they are prepared. We are a team, and the team is all of us.
“Eleven players start, 10 and the goalkeeper, and then there are five to help. We are all in this together, and they are responding accordingly to what we need.”
https://www.intothecalderon.com/atletico-madrid-quotes/19009/diego-simeone-praises-griezmann-atletico-madrid-levante-la-liga-press-conference-alvarez-future
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