Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone took responsibility for the 1-0 home loss to Real Betis in La Liga on Sunday in his post-match media address.
“The team is suffering from this situation,” Simeone analyzed, attributing the defeat to the team’s problems against the low block. “It has happened to us not only today, but in many games when we face opponents who are very seated.
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“We lack clarity for the team, it is our fault as a coaching staff that we cannot improve this,” he continued. “But we will work to give the team the tools so that the players can solve it individually.”
Simeone on defeat
“The opponent played better than us, they defended very well and didn’t let us create many opportunities except for Julián and Lookman in the first half. They defended well, counterattacked, worked as a team and took advantage of the spaces. We congratulate the opponent.”
Simeone on the disallowed goal
“I’m not interested in that situation. The game was not good and I don’t think (the VAR intervention) was decisive. If we had tied, we would be talking about the game in the same way. Today it was against us, maybe tomorrow it will be in our favor.”
Simeone on the players’ complaints on the pitch
“I’m not a footballer. They are the ones who play and are probably the ones who can best interpret this. All my life I have played on good, normal, normal fields… We don’t stop winning because of the state of the field.”
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Simeone on Julián Álvarez
“I don’t think it is appropriate to continue commenting on Julián. We trust him, he is very important, the best we have. Let’s hope he contributes more to us in the important moments that lie ahead.”
Simeone on being 13 points behind the leader
“They are better than us.”
Simeone on the fans, from whom he asked for more from before the match
“Extraordinary. The best thing about today’s game was our fans.”
Simeone on what was missing
“We couldn’t break down a very organized and disciplined defense. They worked very well defensively.”
Simeone on what could have been better
“I don’t think it was a lack of will, work or career. We lacked clarity to find a way to break down a defense like Betis’, which worked very well.”
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Simeone on the attack
“We didn’t have any scoring opportunities, it’s that simple. The opponent defended very well, counterattacked and we didn’t create opportunities or play clearly in the final stretch. Congratulations to the opponent and we will continue working.”