Atletico Madrid has had a somewhat perplexing season. Although they felt they might have done more to advance, they did well at some points in the cup competitions. Despite being the only team to defeat Real Madrid this season, they never truly lived up to expectations in La Liga, but Diego Simeone has guaranteed Champions League status for a record 12 times running.
There is a lack of consensus among Colchoneros over the season’s evaluation, and in recent weeks, even the Atleti players have provided differing responses. After their 3-0 victory over Getafe, Simeone told Diario AS that they needed to cherish the work they had accomplished each year.
“More than anything, I want to be the champion. I have worked twelve years with a great desire to inflate the balloon [get people enthusiastic] as best I can, but occasionally it bursts. Together, we try to fight. We have advanced to the Copa semifinals and the Champions League quarterfinals; Madrid leads us by 22 points, while Barca trails by three or six. Without a question, I want to win. Let’s cherish what we have, even when it’s not easy. You don’t value anything if you have it, and you lose it when.
After scoring a hat-trick at the Coliseum, Antoine Griezmann was also given lovely remarks. He has bounced back from a lacklustre few weeks.
“What bad luck to meet the coach,” I said to him when I first saw him in the lift. How are you doing? “Excellent,” he informed me. I told him, “Hopefully we can see it.” And there he was. Beyond the objectives, he provides us ownership, flexibility, and the ability to impose ourselves. Other excellent performances came from De Paul, Barrios, Llorente, and the centre backs.
“A game that he finished very well, beyond the goals, and interpreted very well where to do damage; he gave us circulation and helped us understand the game, which improves us.”
