Simeone singles out key trio

Diego Simeone singled out Antoine Griezmann, Vitolo and Josema Gimenez for praise after Atletico Madrid’s 3-0 win against Celta Vigo on Sunday.

Griezmann scored again for Atleti, while Vitolo registered an assist on a rare start and Gimenez took over goal-kick duties in the second half, amidst concerns over Jan Oblak’s groin.

“We still need to improve on of a lot of things, but we’re taking it game by game,” the Coach said after the match.

“We’ll try to keep going like this. Now it’s time for us to travel to Russia, where we’re faced with a complicated trip, and then Villarreal…

“I hope we still have a chance [of the title] with five games left. After that, we can talk about something else.

“Griezmann? I always have to talk about reality, not assumptions, and the reality is that today he’s with us and plays fantastically well.

“He has a connection with very good bunch of fans. He scored a great goal, gave a fantastic pass for the second and worked for the team.

“I only speak of the present. Tomorrow is tomorrow. Costa? He was upset about the blow he’d received, but the doctor will have a better understanding [of the injury].

“It seems easy when you win 3-0, but we had to put in real effort and a great performance to win today.

“Vitolo? He’s growing, and what we’re left with is everyone participating. I’m trying to get them all playing their best football so that they can perform whenever they’re needed.

“We brought him in, hoping he’d give us a jolt in quality when it came to attacking transitions, and he’s getting closer to what we both want.

“He assisted a great goal with a good square ball and he’ll keep growing. He couldn’t play many matches at Las Palmas and it’s not easy to fit in at Atletico, but he’s giving everything to help with what the team need.

“Oblak not taking goal kicks in the second half? I think Gimenez was able to hit them a little harder.

“Didn’t you see the bombs that he kicked? I imagine he had some discomfort, so I didn’t want to risk him. That’s why Gimenez took the goal kicks.”

Tags Antoine Griezmann Diego Simeone Josema Gimenez Vitolo
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