Atlético faces “a cup final” and Simeone claims “collective involvement”

After reacting late at La Cerámica to save a single point (2-2) and the setback suffered in the Super Cup against Ahletic, allowing themselves to be traced back in the end in two set pieces, Atlético faces this Tuesday at Anoeta against Real « a final”, as Diego Pablo Simeone qualifies it. Aware that he is going through his worst moment on the rojiblanco bench, that the Copa del Rey is perhaps the only way this year to save the season with a title and that Atlético is forced to react, the Argentine coach claimed this Tuesday «involvement group” to its players, the day before facing the 2020 champion, who will be without his second top scorer, Isak. Victim of a sprained ankle, the Swedish striker will miss the round of 16 match against the League champions, as will Griezmann, who broke in Atlético’s cup-bearer debut against Rayo Majadahonda (0-5), the Giménez was suspended and Llorente and Kondogbia were also injured.

“It doesn’t matter if he’s not at his best and doesn’t have certain players, because it’s Atlético de Madrid. When no one gives a penny for them, they give up and grow. Atlético is more dangerous now,” warned Imanol Alguacil on Tuesday, while Simeone was convinced that his players “are going to respond well.” After the recent bumps suffered and the criticism received for his usual step back when he is ahead and his lack of concentration and forcefulness to defend corners and fouls, Simeone points out that “you have to be calm and patient and wait for the team to appear, because it will appear, and hopefully tomorrow, “said Cholo, who nevertheless recalled Carlo Ancelotti’s complaints at the start of the League and the subsequent ability to react that Real Madrid showed.

«Ancelotti explained it very well in the first days of his team, that there was not so much involvement at a collective level. Then there was involvement, and you can play with a lot of players who play well with good involvement,” Simeone launched, for whom since taking over the mattress bench in December 2011, Atlético “always thinks the same way.” “In playing each game like a final, and we try to generate that stimulus,” said the Argentine coach, who will return to the 4-4-2 start, except for surprise, with Luis Suárez, Carrasco and Lemar in principle. on the bench. In the case of Real, who suffered to eliminate Leganés in the round of 32 (2-3) but have not known defeat so far this year, Rafinha is back after Silva, Januzaj and Sorloth have also joined the group.

The San Sebastian team coach hopes “that a tremendous atmosphere will be generated at the Reale Arena.” “But we have to take the first step and play a great game, because there is no other way to beat Atlético de Madrid,” Imanol ventured. “The rival is going to complicate our lives and now we have to talk on the pitch”, claimed who hopes that Real will give a gift to the fans: “It’s a big game, and what better way than the eve of San Sebastián (the January 20)”. «We arrived super well and with a tremendous desire. I see the players excited and highly motivated, “said the Gipuzkoan coach before receiving an unreliable Atlético who, after four consecutive defeats in the League, recovered with 4-4-2 against Rayo Vallecano and Majadahonda but stumbled again against Villarreal and Athletic.