Diego Pablo Simeone, the Atlético Madrid coach, appeared before the media after his team’s defeat at Camp Nou. The “Rojiblancos” initially took the lead, but were overturned by a Barcelona side that showed enough character to come back and claim all three points.
“I really liked the match. I’m very pleased with the team’s work. They managed to do well. We finished the game strongly, with three situations that we couldn’t turn into goals, but I liked the team,” Simeone began, acknowledging his team’s efforts to equalize in the final minutes. Ferran Torres’ goal had already proven decisive.
“We know they have very good players. They play with interior midfielders to draw the center-backs out of position and create disorder, and today it worked very well for them in those situations. We reviewed the match we played against Inter, where fewer balls went through the middle and we managed to push them to the wings. I think we improved that, and I liked the attitude with which the team finished the match—without fear and going forward to chase the result.”
He also had a few words about the match’s MVP. “I really like Raphinha. He plays in every position: as a winger, as a wide midfielder, as an attacking midfielder… he scores goals and presses. I don’t know how he didn’t win the Ballon d’Or last year, but well, that’s football and people can choose whoever they want. I choose him. I like him a lot,” he said.
“I think the result is the result. It’s fair because they scored three goals and we only scored one. There are ways to walk off the field when you lose, and today the team competed against a side that plays very well. To win a competition, at some point you will face a team of this caliber. I’m calm because the boys did everything they could.”
When asked about his team’s goal scorer, Simeone remained clear. “Baena is a differential player for us. He has personality and courage, and he knows how to play football anywhere you place him on the pitch. I’m also sorry about Johnny’s injury. We lost against a great rival, which will help us continue improving,” he concluded.
