Simeone’s strong self-criticism in his worst moment at Atlético de Madrid: “The coach is the one who is failing”

13 points behind leaders Barcelona and out of the Champions League, Diego Simoncoach of Atletico Madridassumed his responsibility this Wednesday, because it is he who is “failing more than other things” this season, he appealed to the unity and “strength” of each “leg” of the club, and acknowledged that the team ” he needs qualities” by Joao Felix.

“We’ve come from one season to date from bad to fair or from fair to bad. I don’t think it goes through the names, because they are more or less the same as last season and very similar to the guys who came out as champions (in 2020-21). Trippier, Suárez are missing… So, the basis of the titles is there. They are Giménez, Savic, Hermoso, Carrasco, Lemar, Koke, Llorente, Correa, Joao, Griezmann, Morata are added, Reinildo in defense… I think the coach is the one who is failing more than other things“, He admitted.

“Considering that Five footballers have reached the world finalthree of whom have played a lot (Antoine Griezmann, Rodrigo de Paul and Nahuel Molina), we have a great squad” the coach said earlier, focused on the future of his team this season, far from the expectations he had raised last summer .

“Perhaps what he doesn’t give, let’s say, what you need to give is the coach, because there are good players. Joao was a sensation at the World Cup, Carrasco and Witsel started several matches in Belgium… We have important players and I’m the one who has to improve so they can raise their level in the league,” he added.

And he appealed, once again, to the union of all the club’s properties, when asked why he receives the Atlético board of directors, after the possibility, according to ‘El Chiringuito’, that the top management of the entity have raised with him to leave in this European winter market. “While we were and are with four steady legs, the people, the leaders, the players and the coaching staff, let’s get strong”he replied.

“We need that strength on all four legs, because we’ve demonstrated it over many years and hopefully we can continue the same way that we have lived together in these eleven years,” continued the coach, who will field Joao Félix as a starter against Elche, in the return to competition this Thursday in Liga Santander, even if his future points to another club.

Joao Félix, the talent Cholo needs

“It’s that there’s no confirmation of what you commented (that the Portuguese forward is leaving for this January transfer market). I live from day to day and try to resolve the situations and circumstances that I have to resolve. I have to solve the match against Elche and I will try to play with the people I think can win that match, that’s the important thing about everything,” added the coach.

“What matters to me is the equipment and is an important player for the team. If he manages to convey everything we’ve seen, especially in the first matches of the World Cup, it will be very important because he has the conditions, the talent and the team needs his qualities”, continued Simeone, who maintains a “good working relationship” with Joao Félix.

“For my part, since I’ve been here at the club, beyond some differences that people can always have, because we can’t agree on everything and we have differences with many people we’ve lived with over the years, I’ve always looked for the best for the club until the same day I am there or there are the players who had to direct them. Give the maximum out of everyone and squeeze the maximum out of everyone, ”he expressed her.

At the same time, the coach did not speak about Borja Iglesias, for whom Atlético would be interested in Joao Félix’s possible departure: “They know me, they know I’m not talking about the guys who aren’t here at the club and I we manage to make the most of what we have here at home”.

Source: EFE