Simeone: "I still haven't been told that Diego Costa's back with us"
Atlético's coach previewed tomorrow's Sevilla game: "The club is growing, the team is growing and we need men who can compete to become an important side".
Tomorrow's visit from Sevilla was top of Diego Simeone's agenda in this this afternoon's press conference but the Atleti coach was also asked about Diego Costa's return to the club and y del partido ante el Celta.
Diego Costa: "There's an initial agreement in place but officially, I haven't received any news that he is back with us. The only thing that concerns me right now is Sevilla".
Simeone applauds "competitive" Sevilla
Sevilla: "Sevilla visit us on the back of some good results; Berizzo is a very respected coach, he always renews his contract wherever he is - like he did at Celta and his teams always compete well. In a short space of time, you can get an idea of what he is trying to do with his team: direct on both flanks, the team working collectively, in the centre of the park he has players who have different characteristics to the midfielders he had in Vigo - players who can link up to bring the team quality going forward. And up front they have a lot of pace. They are a highly competitive team and they can compete when playing away against the best teams".
Competition for places in the team: "I don't think it's a bad thing for a team to have competition for places. The players know that all of the top sides have players competing for places all the time. As a club, Atleti is growing, the team's growing and we need players who are able to compete so that we can be an important club - it's not something we are doing for ourselves as individuals, we have to think about what is best for the club and for the team".
Atlético's strikers on an upward curve
Correa: "He's scoriong goals and that's important for him; he needs to continue developing but there's no need to put pressure on him, we have to be by his side and exploit his qualities when the team needs to draw on them. But he's definitely coming on really well, that's clear to see".
Gameiro: "He's getting better, yesterday's training session was his best since he rejoined the group. You can gauge a lot from training sessions. Gaitán, Gameiro and Vrsaljko have got to show me what they can do in our training sessions. He has pace, strength and he can score goals so when the time comes when the team needs him, he has to respond by competing".
Unsuitable kick-off times: "We have to make sure we are capable of resolving our matches - there is nothing we can do about the kick-off times".
Cholo Simeone and Maradona at Sevilla 25 years ago
Maradona joined you as a player with Sevilla 25 years ago today: "It was a time of joy, happiness... that was an important step for Sevilla, for that team and for the young players like myself, we felt sheltered by him. All of us are very grateful to Maradona".
Augusto: "He needs more time playing, he's done a lot of work strengthening his knee; we need him - he's an important player for the team and for the squad. He's not in the list but his moment will come".
Message for Mexico: "I feel great pain and sadness for what has happened, you can see that the whole world is offering aid... That is what the world needs, all of us must show support and send all of our energy and strength to Mexico".
The Atlético squad:
Oblak, Moyà, Godín, Savic, Lucas, Filipe, Juanfran, Vrsaljko, Thomas, Gabi, Saúl, Koke, Carrasco, Gaitán, Correa, Vietto, Griezmann and Gameiro.
| Classification | PTS | WM | TM | LM |
|---|
| Upcoming matches |
|---|