Simeone on Julián Álvarez, Griezmann, De Paul, Giménez, Sorloth, Lino, and Correa

Atlético de Madrid

Griezmann and De Paul's Changes. Substitutions of Lino, Correa, and Sorloth

192

Griezmann
15.140.000€+120.000€9

J25

4

J24

5

J23

11

J22

4

J21

DL

58

143

Rodrigo de Paul
9.190.000€+150.000€6

J25

6

J24

5

J23

-

J22

9

J21

MD

33

120

Samuel Lino
7.370.000€+150.000€5

J25

5

J24

6

J23

12

J22

12

J21

MD

23

104

Correa
3.230.000€+120.000€10

J25

3

J24

2

J23

4

J22

4

J21

DL

13

135

Sorloth
8.550.000€-120.000€3

J25

12

J24

2

J23

5

J22

-

J21

DL

29

164

Julián Álvarez
20.100.000€-520.000€16

J25

3

J24

12

J23

8

J22

10

J21

DL

29

?Rodrigo had made a fantastic pass to Griezmann and he just missed it by a little... one that could have… I mean, I thought: 'I'm messing it up,' because Rodrigo was exactly moving back. But I understood that we needed strength in the midfield with Marcos, and that with Correa we could add that speed and daring to play that Ángel contributes in different areas of the field, causing difficulties for the opponent. With Sorloth, we wanted to give more power to the team, and Julián did an incredible job today, running all over the place: from attacking midfielder, in the middle, back, and on the flank. Lino really came in well from the left side, and I believe the team started to feel more and more confident in the match. As the minutes passed, just like in the 4-2 it seemed like we were far behind, it was felt that we could even overcome it. We leave with this 4-4, open tie, a very difficult opponent, but we have our strengths.?

José María Giménez, what assessment do you make of the season

106

José Giménez
3.190.000€-40.000€4

J25

11

J24

5

J23

-

J22

-

J21

DF

10

?José is having a great season, very consistent. We are managing everything very well, the physical work, the nutrition, giving him his rest so he can perform at the level we need. In the year we won the league, he could have left, but we asked him to stay, the club has kept him and hopefully he will continue giving us important nights.?

What bothers you the most?

?Being scored on by two set-piece goals bothers us, it depends on both individual and collective aspects. A team like Barcelona is impossible to finish a match without scoring. The team had the courage to go from 4-2 to turning it around, a result that was not easy.?

Another goal in stoppage time?

?The team tries until the end to create these kinds of situations. We have fresh players coming in, each one giving us their maximum until the moment the coach decides. Surely we will continue competing as we are doing.?

How is a match like this experienced from the bench?

?The team, beyond the different moments in the match, showed and worked with great strength, always seeking the same line and with a huge spirit to compete. We started 0-2 down. Their goal, the 1-2, is the blow of a team that plays as well as Barcelona, which starts to corner you. We didn't defend well on corners. They started better afterward. They went 4-2 up. The substitutions brought freshness and courage in the final meters to attack with more people. The match wasn't easy to play, but the guys showed a competitive spirit that I'm passionate about. It was a very difficult match, but we also have our tools.?

Before the game, how did you see it? What does this draw mean for the final?

?The 4-2 was a tough result against a team like Barcelona, but the 4-4 evens the tie. There is still a lot until April 2. Now we focus on Bilbao, and the time will come to think about what will happen at that moment.?