And why not try to be second?

Jorge Resurrección, better known as Koke, is the current captain of Atlético de Madrid. A few months ago, he also became the player with the most appearances in the club’s history. Someone who lived through Simeone’s phase, a powerful voice that confirms the next challenge for the mattress team. “And why don’t we try to be second?”

[+] Watch the full interview with Koke:

What a change! What happened to the team?

There are difficult moments when you work and things don’t work out. But since the World Cup there has been a change of mentality. A change for everyone, to row forward because the situation is not good because after we were eliminated from Europe it was a very difficult moment. The whole group had a change of mind to take the situation forward, and I think we are seeing a different Atlético de Madrid, especially when it comes to playing. Because it suggests something else. The beginning of the season was not good and I think this is the big change of the team.

In Vigo you said the team had a clean mind. Do you mean change of mind?

It may be, but in the end many details brought us. In the end, when you don’t play well, there are situations… like the penalty in the Champions League… where you take the penalty and score it. But when things don’t go well, you fail. As a step. The other day with Sevilla, we were 2-1 at half-time, and maybe later you won’t win the game. But being in a great dynamic you do it.

I’m talking about the penalty in the Champions League, but what about the penalties in the League?

Very good. We played many games without any penalties. I remember the game against Getafe at home, when Álvaro was going to finish alone, he knocked him down and from my point of view it was a penalty with all due respect. It’s something strange, it’s something strange and we have to live with it. Surely one day we will be called a penalty.

Do they see themselves as capable of finishing seconds?

We’re ambitious, so people might think it’s crazy. Our first goal is to get into the Champions League because that’s what the club asks of us, and we’ve been meeting that demand for years. But you need to set higher goals. We know it’s hard to catch Barcelona because they’re ahead of us, but why not try to finish second? We come from a good dynamic, we only play one game a week and with the players we have at a level I think we can compete and try to finish second.

How did the departure of Joao and Cunha affect you?

They are important players within the team. They decided to leave. Joao moved and Cunha moved. These are everyone’s decisions. Totally respectable. Joao is picking up the rhythm of the matches, he is gaining confidence for the coming season to come back here. And to Cunha wish him all the best.

And what do you call Joao Félix?

laughing João. laughing

How has the arrival of Memphis influenced the squad?

Memphis is a strange man. He is an extraordinary man. He is a professional and I think he will be handy for the team. Apart from contributing the goals he scored, he got in shape very quickly. I think he brought those good vibes off the field into the locker room.

How did you manage this year and a half under Griezmann at Atlético?

Antoine had trouble coming. He explained it perfectly. His arrival was not easy because after he left for Barcelona and after everything that happened… People liked him so much and the way he came out… He knew he had to give everything in this round, he had to be with he keeps his mouth shut and works hard to win back people’s love. And I believe that with his work, with his effort, with his sacrifice he is doing it. I hope he can continue the form he has because for us it is very important. From my point of view, he is one of the best players we have in the team, and one of the best players in the world. I hope I can continue like this.

How have you been seeing Cholo these past few months?

I see him with the same energy, the same desire and enthusiasm as the day he arrived. It seems repetitive, but the coach has been a very demanding person since he wore the Atleti suit here. Someone who wants to work, always wants to earn and I always see him like this. I have never seen him otherwise. I see him with the same desire as the first day.

And you always say why can’t you be Ferguson of Atlético de Madrid?

Why not? It is clear that Ferguson is a very important person in the world of football. Just like Cholo. He is very important to Atlético de Madrid.

What do the staff think about the atmosphere at Metropolitano?

We need our people. There was a complicated situation. It’s a strange feeling inside the stadium and that affects the team. We need all our people to be like last day against Sevilla because it shows when you play. It’s remarkable when people support you 100%. It is difficult to live in a situation where the environment is divided, and I believe that the more united we are, the better things will be. It was possible to see the other day against Sevilla that there was a fantastic atmosphere, the team performed as it had to perform and that is the essence of Atlético de Madrid. All its people, all its people are united… In all families there are disputes, but then they are resolved. The more we come together and unite, the better it will be.

Recently, referees have been in the spotlight. How did you survive these last games?

On the subject of referees, the club released the statement it needed to release. That statement has an idea that both the team and the fans feel, and I think it’s perfect. Miguel Ángel perfectly reflects the feelings of the players and the fans of Atlético de Madrid in his words.

How do you feel in the locker room about the Negreira case?

We haven’t talked about it yet. But for the good of Spanish football, the situation must be clarified. We cannot judge anyone without knowing what is going on. Just clarifying the situation first and then we’ll see. Above all for Spanish football and for its sake.

If the sanctions are enforced like in other countries, can you have two more leagues?

We didn’t even think about that. What is important here is to clarify the situation as soon as possible.

And on a personal level, what do you prefer to be inside or pivot?

I want to give assists, score goals and the higher I am, the better. But I will play where the team needs me. Now it’s my turn to play defensive midfielder. I feel good, I feel comfortable, I give dynamics to the team. I look for passes between the lines to important players like Lemar, Anotine, Correa, Rodrigo, Llorente… playing up front. And I adapt well to give the team the right ball, so they can attack well and play another football. Where the team needs me, I will play. I want to play at the top but I don’t care where I play now.

Do you feel that Atlético is doing what you want?

We tried, the truth is I want to have possession of the ball. I want to have it when you need it, without risking it. Don’t be crazy either. Now with the ball I try to play with my teammates. From my point of view, games are won from midfield. When the midfield knows when they need to have the ball or when they need to work, they win a lot of games like that.

How has your brother Borja affected your career? And especially his premature retirement.

He had bad luck with injuries, but in the end there were other people leaving him because a coach didn’t trust him… Everyone’s personal story. That helped me learn from mistakes. This is one of the things I tried to do. It helped me a lot with some decisions. Learn from the mistakes he made so he doesn’t repeat them to try to be professional. Then the people who trusted me, trusted and I responded on the field. Now, sometimes football is talked about in matches, although it’s a bit heavy (laughs), I told him, leave me alone for a bit.

In your beginnings, some family members asked us not to make too many reports about you. Has that changed?

Get used to it. We are low profile to say the least. We don’t like to go out places. I am a reserved person who likes to be with my friends and family. People are used to seeing you. I am quite shy and reserved in the media. I prefer to be like this

[+] Check out Koke’s answers to MD’s most personal test: