Diego Simeone was visibly moved at the end of Atlético Madrid`s spectacular derby victory against Real. It had been 75 years since the “Colchoneros” scored five goals against their bitter rivals. Here are his statements from the press conference:
On His Tears of Joy
“There`s an explosion of emotions within the squad. Our season didn`t start in the best way, yet there`s been incredible dedication from many people working behind the scenes, and that was truly wonderful to witness.”
On the Historic Five Goals Against Real
“Real Madrid is undeniably one of the strongest teams in the world; today, however, we played an exceptional match. Right from the kick-off, we knew exactly how we could cause damage, exploiting wide openings with players like Nico, Barrios, Julián, Giuliano… Our objective was to draw out their central defenders and create internal spaces, for example with Sorloth, to generate scoring opportunities. I believe that, apart from the two goals we conceded, the team delivered a solid and well-executed performance.”
Regarding Nico Gonzalez
“First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude to the club for the significant effort made to sign him in the final stages of the summer transfer window – a strategic move to secure his acquisition and a testament to the trust placed in his abilities. He is a truly talented player, possessing the genuine Atlético DNA, and he must continue to maintain his humility. I had a very clear conversation with him, explaining exactly what I needed. I communicated my expectations with great transparency, and since then, his response on the field has been nothing short of extraordinary.”
On Julian Alvarez
“He is an absolutely extraordinary player. I don`t understand how he manages to strike those free-kicks with such precision; he vaguely reminds me of Pantic. But what I appreciate most about him is his profound humility. He continues to run, to work tirelessly, despite being a world champion, and he does it here at Atleti as well. We must protect him – the club, us as staff, and the fans – because it is essential that he stays with us for many years to come and he will become a crucial pillar in the history of this club.”
