The Pucelano team is one point away from relegation after four consecutive defeats, but the Atlético coach warns that the rival “proposes a clear game, with a lot of people attacking, but the results are not there”
Diego Pablo Simeone this Friday demanded from the Metropolitan fans their support for Atlético to beat Valladolid in the league this Saturday, “because the team is tired, plays every three days and makes a big effort.” “I hope the people are close to the team because we need the strength of our people,” the Argentina coach insisted, hours before comparing Rojiblanco’s new signing Memphis Depay to Diego Costa, despite the fact that the former Dutch Barça player does not. He is a pure striker.
“Memphis can play first or second point. I see him quite similar to Costa, who started as a second striker on the outside but ended up playing as a striker, because he is strong and defines well. Memphis showed it especially during his period in France (at Olympique de Lyon) and last week at Barcelona he didn’t have bad numbers,” said Simeone.
“Costa is a great player and he was very successful here, but I think we are different players. I don’t like being compared very much because everyone has the right to be their own player. I like that Costa had a great fighting spirit and that’s a good comparison,” said Memphis Depay himself during his official presentation in the stadium where Atlético will receive Valladolid.
After securing qualification for the Cup quarter-finals in the Ciutat de València against Levante, Atlético face a team from Valladolid who, after four consecutive defeats, are just one point away from relegation to the Second Division. “Valladolid proposes a very clear and defined game, with a lot of people attacking, but the results don’t work for them,” warned Simeone, who wants Atlético to get “largely closer to the game that was played against Almeria because if the team plays , it plays well, and when it attacks, it has important situations.”
With the closest precedent of the cup tie against Levante, the rojiblanco coach acknowledged that Atlético “played badly” during the first half and such bad football cannot be repeated against Valladolid. “We didn’t play football, but tried to demonstrate the capacity and hierarchy these players have,” he lamented, referring to the 16-16 cup final Atletico settled in stoppage time with goals from Morata and Llorente.
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
