‘Atleti same as always – plus the goals’

Diego Simeone claims Atletico Madrid played no differently than usual, but for the goals, in their 4-0 victory over Celta Vigo on Saturday.

An Antoine Griezmann brace plus goals from Koke and Angel Correa earned Atleti their first win of the season in La Liga, yet Simeone was of the opinion that his side performed the same as they always had done.

“The first half was very even but we grew in the second, and after Koke’s goal, the team were strong, forceful and looked like doing damage on any attack,” he said after the game.

“The goals followed this time, something that didn’t happen in previous matches.

“A goal frees you and creates you more [winning] situations. The structure of the team has been the same in all three games, the same as always.

“Then, from our individual talent, we try to strengthen that structure, and it went well [on Saturday].

“Celta aren’t easy opponents as they continually reinvent themselves, but they came into the match with absences and the goal gave us the ability to read the game better. That encouraged us to have a great second half.

“Atletico are, above all, a team. Individuals make us better, but we always put the group work first.

“After the goals, we played better, creating space. We had a great game and got the three points at a pitch that isn’t easy for those who go there.”

Tags Diego Simeone
La Liga - Club News