Atletico Madrid News
Simeone aims dig at Real Madrid after Atletico lose derby: “They criticized us back then”
Atletico Madrid fell to a 2-1 defeat in the Madrid Derby on Sunday night. Los Rojiblancos had the home advantage for the game but were simply no match for Real Madrid’s clinical attacking and solid defence.
After going two goals down in the first half, the hosts equalised in the last ten minutes through Hermoso. However, the goal came a tad bit too late and they could not find an equaliser in time.
Diego Simeone spoke to the media after his team’s loss at the Metropolitano. Here are the snippets from his interaction with the press as revealed by MARCA.
On Real Madrid playing with a low block: “The forcefulness is wonderful and to see a team that defends low and goes on the counterattack like that. It reminds me of the team we had with Costa when they criticized us back then.”
On Real Madrid’s performance: “The players gave everything, they gave themselves well to the game. They have a very good direct game, a quick transition from defence to attack, forcefulness, orderly defence, they play well, take advantage of their chances.”
On Antoine Griezmann starting: “We understood that Antoine could come out from the start, he gave us a lot of work as a second striker trying to go down to associate, in the second half on the wing to play with two forwards.”
On the injury situation in defence: “We hope that Savic and Giménez can be with the team more this year because last season we suffered a lot. We hope to count on them to have alternatives.”
On how the team will take the defeat: “We keep working and we look at Sevilla knowing what needs to be improved and what we do well.”
On the Joao Felix-Antoine Griezmann connection: “We couldn’t connect as we wanted.”
There is no doubt that Atletico Madrid are bracing themselves for a busy summer ahead as they look to address the future of some of their star players. One of them is Saul Niguez, who has fallen out of favour under Diego Simeone and could leave the club.
A recent report from Mundo Deportivo has offered an update on the future of the Spaniard, suggesting that the player has once again become a market attraction.
The versatile star was on loan at Chelsea last season, but his spell at Stamford Bridge was far from ideal, as he featured in less than 500 minutes of league football. He returned to Atletico Madrid in the summer, and even though he wanted to leave the club, a move did not materialise.
Saul was even linked with a move away from Atleti in January. But Valencia, who were interested in him at the time, could not afford the deal, particularly because of the player’s salary and transfer fees.
The report from Mundo Deportivo states that Valencia have retained their interest in the player. But in addition to Los Che, Saul has been targeted by two other Spanish teams in the form of Rayo Vallecano and Sevilla.
Rayo have expressed the desire to sign Saul in the coming season. But they are likely to face economic difficulties in funding a move for the midfielder. The same can be said for Sevilla.
Saul’s current contract at Atletico Madrid expires in 2026, a deal that was agreed when the player was at his peak. But the long contract has now come back to haunt Atleti, as they desperately look to get rid of the Spanish international.
With his suitors likely to face financial trouble in weighing up a move, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for Saul in the coming summer.
Saul is not the only Atletico Madrid player facing an uncertain future, with Axel Witsel’s father also hinting at a possible exit recently.
