Atletico Madrid’s coach, Diego Simeone, has called on his players to promptly shift their focus to the upcoming Champions League showdown against Real Madrid, steering clear of any distractions following their 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao, which temporarily positioned them at the summit of LaLiga.
The encounter against Real marks the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, a thrilling Madrid derby that Simeone acknowledges carries its own challenges, despite his team’s recent successful performances.
“We have a significant match in the Champions League ahead of us, and it’s crucial for us to focus on that, making sure to properly recuperate during these next three days off,” Simeone articulated at the news conference.
“At this juncture, our priority is to continue enhancing the collective effort of the team and maintain our concentration.“
Simeone also praised substitute Julian Alvarez, who made a decisive impact by scoring shortly after replacing Alexander Sorloth just before the hour mark.
“Today, we encountered a tough opponent. They defended exceptionally well and created several opportunities through Nico and Inaki Williams. We were fortunate to have Julian on the pitch in the second half, and his finish on the counter-attack was superb,” he commented.
The manager expressed his delight at seeing his fellow countryman join Atletico after his departure from Manchester City.
“Occasionally, players arrive who possess something special; as a coach, you recognise that. They bring a unique flair, and I admire their humility and versatility,” he noted.
Atletico now leads LaLiga with 56 points, two ahead of Barcelona, who are set to face Real Sociedad on Sunday, while third-placed Real Madrid recently suffered a 2-1 defeat against Real Betis.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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