Diego Simeone has steered clear of complaints about Vinicius’ suspension ahead of Atlético Madrid’s trip to Espanyol, focusing instead on squad depth and ongoing challenges. In a press conference before the weekend’s La Liga fixture, the Atlético coach confirmed that both Koke and Cardoso will be unavailable, leaving the team to manage without two important players.
Simeone acknowledged that despite Atlético winning five consecutive matches, there remain clear areas for improvement. “There is always room for improvement in every area. Winning five matches doesn't mean you're doing everything really well. There is always an element of luck,” he said. He singled out defensive and offensive phases as aspects that still require work.
The coach also touched on the developing partnerships along the flanks, particularly praising Alejandro Grimaldo’s role at full-back for Espanyol. “Grimaldo gives us a lot going forward, allowing us to attack through the middle and out wide. He's a winger playing at full-back. We're helping him develop defensively, and he wants to improve that side of his game,” Simeone explained. He highlighted the ongoing process of building understanding between players like Giuliano, Marcos, Barrios, and Marc when deployed on the right side.
Atlético’s squad management is becoming increasingly important as the season progresses. With Cardoso and Koke ruled out for the Espanyol match, Simeone emphasized the value of having a “strong squad” to cope with absences. “The end of the season will show just how important that is. We're still a work in progress. All these situations mean we have to manage playing time, but always with the aim of winning matches,” he added.
Simeone expressed sympathy for Koke, who is dealing with a bereavement in his family alongside some leg discomfort. “He's going through what we all go through when we lose a family member. He also had some discomfort in his leg, and we decided not to take him tomorrow,” said the Atlético manager. “He's a strong lad and will get through this difficult time alongside his family, who are a lovely family.”
On the subject of younger players, Simeone praised Pablo Barrios as an important figure for the team while urging caution about the pressure that comes with praise. “Hopefully all the praise won't weaken him. Pablo is a very important player for us. Ultimately, players are judged on the pitch, and that's what matters,” he said.
When asked about the suspensions of Vinicius and Iker Luque, Simeone did not dwell on the disciplinary issues but reminded that squad rotation and readiness are constant demands at a club like Atlético. “When you're at a strong team, these things happen. You have to be ready. When the coach calls on you, saying you haven't been playing much or haven't been playing at all is no excuse. We always work on everything in training: fitness, technique… You're at Atlético de Madrid, and you have to be ready when your turn comes.”
Simeone also reflected on Espanyol’s current form and their manager Manolo González, who he rates highly. “They've always competed very well under him. Last season they started very well, couldn't maintain it, and finished strongly. They know how they want to play, and when a team knows how it wants to play, that's down to the coach,” said Simeone. He described Espanyol as “a very well-drilled, very competitive team” who have scored a lot of goals this season, and admitted Atlético have “always found it tough at that stadium.”
With two key players sidelined and the squad still evolving, Atlético face a demanding challenge at Espanyol. Simeone’s focus remains on steady progress and managing the squad carefully as the season heads towards its final stages.
According to Yahoo Sports.
