He spoke at the Metropolitano after the loss.
Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone held himself responsible for the 1-0 home defeat to Real Betis in La Liga on Sunday as he addressed the media post-match.
“The team is suffering from this situation,” Simeone analysed, as he pinned the defeat on the team’s struggles against low blocks. “It has happened to us not only today, but in many games when we face opponents who sit deep.
“We lack clarity for the team, it is our fault as the coaching staff that we cannot improve this,” he continued. “But we will work to give the team the tools so that the players can solve it individually.”
Simeone on the defeat
“The opposition played better than us, defended very well, and didn’t allow us to create many chances except for those by Julián and Lookman in the first half. They defended well, counterattacked, worked as a team and took advantage of the spaces. We congratulate the opposition.”
Simeone on the disallowed goal
“I’m not interested in that situation. The match wasn’t good, and I don’t think (the VAR intervention) was decisive. If we had drawn, we would be talking about the match in the same way. Today it went against us, maybe tomorrow it will go in our favour.”
Simeone on players complaining about the pitch
“I’m not a footballer. They’re the ones playing and they’re probably the ones who can best interpret this. All my life I’ve played on good, normal, average pitches… We don’t stop winning because of the state of the pitch.”
Simeone on Julián Alvarez
“I don’t think it’s appropriate to continue commenting on Julián. We trust him, he’s very important, the best we have. Let’s hope he gives us more in the important moments ahead.”
Simeone on being 13 points behind the leaders
“They’re better than us.”
Simeone on the fans, who he asked for more from pre-game
“Extraordinary. The best thing about today’s match was our fans.”
Simeone on what was missing
“We couldn’t break down a very organised, disciplined defence. They worked very well defensively.”
Simeone on what could have been better
“I don’t think it was a lack of will, work or running. We lacked clarity in finding a way to break down a defence like Betis’, who worked very well.”
Simeone on the attack
“We didn’t have any scoring opportunities, plain and simple. The opponent defended very well, counterattacked, and we didn’t create any opportunities or play clearly in the final stretch. Congratulations to the opponent, and we’ll keep working.”
Category: General Sports
