Diego Simeone believes Atletico Madrid are a team of the people and that is way they attract popular support, much like Diego Maradona’s Napoli.
Cholo has spoken with Argentine publication Clarin in an interview reported by AS and compared his Atletico team to the Napoli side led by Maradona in the early 1990s.
“People usually take as role models the people who most need to work for achievements,” Simeone said.
“We are a team for the people and that’s why people follow us.
“People identify with the effort, the commitment, to face difficulties and find a difficult level. They have the feeling about Atletico like Napoli and Maradona, humbled by Inter, Juventus and Milan.
“We don’t seek recognition. I don’t want an obsession with me. We seek wins, I seek to be competitive and I’m hooked on the growth of the players.
“My obsession is based on finding the growth of the team.”
Simeone also reflected on Atletico’s 2013-14 campaign, where Atletico won the title and reached the Champions League final, losing to Real Madrid.
“Last year we had a stratospheric season. Barcelona reached the last day with the possibility of winning the title when they had given up on the League a few months earlier,” Simeone continued.
“Madrid, with a bad start, had a stunning second half, turned it around and had chances in the final. We were more regular and that was the result of previous work. Slowly we found our way.
“The Champions League is very nice. But for me to win the League is the ultimate because the fans live it every day.
“The League involves 30-odd dates and competing against the big two superpowers.”
