RAYO-ATLÉTICO MADRID | SIMEONE
Simeone: "Diego Costa and Morata are perfectly compatible"
The Atlético coach, who renewed his contract yesterday, said: "I have total belief in the step I have made and in my players". Atleti cross town to visit Rayo tomorrow.
Simeone attended the media this afternoon to discuss tomorrow's game at Rayo Vallecano among other issues - including the contract extension he signed yesterday.
If you could make one wish for Atlético this season, what would it be?
I'm not in a position to ask for anything. I'm only able to give, to be grateful for the players we have and to have been able to stay in this job for the last seven years - and as a coach, to have given the players the facility to compete.
El Cholo 2022
Do you feel like Atlético's Johan Cruyff?
I don't stop to look back at what we've done. Football and life are about today and about what contributions we can make. We have a very big challenge ahead of us, a lot of work to do and young people who can help to build the team. The decision to remain on that path is down to the players, the mood at the club, the fans... but above all, the players. We are convinced that we can grow with them and we'll continue looking to compete, which is the first thing I said when I arrived here.
Why wasn't Mono Burgos in the group photo after you signed your new contract?
He's negotiating his personal contract and we hope he'll have that sorted out as soon as possible.
Do you enjoy the criticism you get?
I haven't heard or read anything, I have things straight in my head, I'm convinced about the step we've taken, I have faith in the club and I believe in the players. I can see that there is room for improvement, that the team can still compete and that gives me the energy to keep going.
Costa back in business
Could Diego Costa be given a run-out tomorrow?
Absolutely, he can be compatible with Morata with a lot of hard work. He's doing well and he is hungrier than ever. You have all seen him in training and with that driving ambition he has; he's a warrior and we hopes that tomorrow he will show it.
The way VAR is used was explained by UEFA in this week's Champions League games, do you think that should happen in Spain too?
Everything that is involved in continue to develop is important and I think that VAR clarifies moves we couldn't see before. Now we know whether a move is offside or not,if it's a penalty or not and and think Miguel Ángel [Gil] explained that clearly the other day. We've only been in this situation for a short while - less than a year and now at least we can see whether a move is offside or not. The final decision will always be made by a human being but it's clear that now we can see what in previous years, we couldn't.
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