Simeone: A step closer

Diego Simeone has reflected on the worth of Atletico Madrid’s trip out to Azerbaijan and looked ahead to the weekend test at Deportivo.

Atleti spent the first half of this week in Azerbaijan as part of a sponsorship partnership signed last winter with the Republic.

For their Coach, the trip, which came after defeat in the Madrid derby, was of value.

“We were together, which is good after a defeat. That means that we see each other all the time,” Simeone told reporters this week.

“We got to know a fantastic country that is growing tremendously. The friendly helped us give some players minutes.

“We already trained well yesterday afternoon and today we begin to do the important work. This weekend is a game closer to our goal.

“Recent results have allowed Deportivo to regain a bit of confidence, which is essential in football. They want to be players, with the ball at their feet.

“Bruno Gama, Riki and Valeron are their strengths going forward and Pizzi is good from set pieces.

“Our fixture run-in? I think the league has a lot of games and it is important how you face every week, not just the last ones.

“The tournament had 38 games and the squad is judged on that. The entire campaign is what decides how good you are.”

Tags Azerbaijan Deportivo Simeone
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