Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone addressed the media on Friday ahead of the upcoming La Liga match against Levante. During the press conference, he discussed several topics, including the fact that forward Julián Álvarez was not shortlisted for the FIFA The Best award.
Simeone emphasized that he does not decide on such matters but underlined how important Álvarez is for the team. He considers him one of the best forwards in the world and believes the club should appreciate his value. He expressed hope that the Argentine striker will continue to deliver performances that bring many positives to Atlético.
The Argentine coach also spoke about the versatility of defender Dávid Hancko. He noted that the player can effectively perform as both a full-back and a central defender, and his attributes allow him to operate as a third centre-back in a five-man defensive setup.
Another topic concerned goals scored by substitutes. Simeone praised their mental readiness and stressed that every squad member is important to the team, regardless of whether they start the match or come off the bench.
The coach also discussed managing the playing time of individual players, describing it as a key part of a manager’s work. He reminded that footballers are not merely substitutes or starters but, above all, part of a collective whose role is to help the team grow.
When speaking about young defender Marc Pubill, Simeone mentioned that the player works diligently and is ready to step in whenever needed. He recalled Pubill’s strong performance in the match against Rayo Vallecano and noted that he remembers his contribution.
Simeone also reflected with a smile on a memory involving his former Inter Milan teammate Iván Zamorano, recalling that even back then he already had the mindset of a coach.
In conclusion, he refused to comment on individual awards or player rankings, instead focusing on preparation for the Levante match. He spoke respectfully about the opponent, describing them as a team with a solid defense and quick players moving forward. He added that Atlético must approach the match in a way that allows them to exploit the opponent’s weaknesses.
Simeone also briefly mentioned the recent Champions League victory over Union Saint-Gilloise. He reminded that no match is easy and that mental resilience is what distinguishes truly strong teams from average ones.
