“I’m a magnet for sunny days,” he joked in an interview with AFP the midfielder Thomas Lemarto return to shape with the Atletico Madrid before the European clash on Wednesday against City of Manchester (9:00 pm).
Q: You are coming into a difficult month of March, weakened by injuries and Covid-19 … Is it hard to get through?
A: “It’s going much better. I’m happy to have resumed activity, to have been able to rejoin the group. I’m trying to find the rhythm little by little.”
Q: You didn’t get the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against City, where you defended a lot.
A: “It’s always like that. But we don’t lie to ourselves, we’re even scared sometimes. Even though we know we can change the game at any time, we’d rather not have a bad time in certain games. “
Q: What can you say to people who criticize Atlético’s style of play after the first leg?
A: “I have nothing to tell you. Just look at the statistics since the coach came. It probably doesn’t look good, but it’s effective. Atlético won, and that’s the most important thing.” . “
Q: Since last year, you have found a more central role, which suits you better …
A: “I talked to the coach last year, when I was starting to find my place on the team. I had a role that was more in line with my style, which made it easier for me to incorporate into Atlético’s style of play. Things with me “.
Q: How have you coped with Simeone’s high level since he arrived in 2018?
A: “The hard-working role, I already had. But I continued to work more on my negative points, which became positive points … It is above all in the defensive area. In recovering the ball, in the defensive breaks .I worked a lot. It allowed me to broaden my palette of resources. Now I’m a more complete player than ever. “
Q: Is this your best season at Atlético?
A: “Statistically, I would say yes. And collectively I would choose last season, because we ended up as league champions.”
Q: In LaLiga, Atlético are currently fourth, followed by a point by Betis Sevilla. For you, will the season be successful if you get a place in the Champions League?
A: “I’ll say it’s a good season, I’m speaking as a competitor, because I always want to win, to finish as high as possible. In bad form at the start of the season, if we qualify at the top it’s it’s going to be a good season. “
Q: Since last summer, you’ve been reunited with a club-mate from France, Antoine Griezmann. What relationship do you have?
A: “Antoine and I got along really well. I treated him well on and off the pitch. The fact that he came back to us moved me on a lot, as well as the club. Of course, he did. “He’s training at Real Sociedad, but he’s still a man of the club, someone who has proven himself at Atlético de Madrid. And he’s a great player. I’m sure he’ll help us by the end of the season”.
Q: Personally, you’ve been a bit off the France squad recently due to injuries. The ‘Blues’ won the Nations League without you in the fall … Is it frustrating?
A: “If I play football it’s to win trophies. Of course I’m happy that the French team won this trophy, but it definitely hurts not to be there. But hey, that’s part of football.”
Q: Last year you announced that your goal was to go to the European Championship. This year, what is your goal?
A: “It’s going to the World Cup. It’s a great goal for me. Yes, I wasn’t on the last calls due to physical problems, but I always had that goal in mind, to be part of the national team. From the list for the Copa del World. Then all the players are important, so it’s up to me to show my worth, to show my worth to the coach. “
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
