On the eve of the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid coach Diego Simeone hinted this Wednesday (7) at the possibility of one day working in Saudi Arabia.
“Coaches never close doors… Life and football can change constantly. Clearly, from my perspective, I’m not closing any doors,” Simeone said in an interview in Jeddah, where the tournament will be held.
The Argentine coach also praised the country for its ability to host major competitions: “There are people prepared to make decisions. Every time we came to play here, we were treated spectacularly. If the World Cup comes here, I hope it will be in the best way possible.”
The press in Saudi Arabia mentioned the situation of Julián Álvarez, who scored just seven goals in 19 Spanish Championship games, five of them in just two matches: a hat-trick against Rayo Vallecano and two goals against Real Madrid.
“Julián showed what a player he is. Let’s hope he plays a great game tomorrow,” said Simeone, who was also asked about how he is dealing with the Argentine striker’s current situation.
“Sometimes there is no need to talk, other times we need to approach him and talk about football or other matters in life; we deal with it naturally, recognizing that in addition to a football player there is a person, and the important thing is that this person is well”, he replied.
Álvarez’s performance differs from that of his teammate Alexander Sorloth: “He is in top form at the moment. He offers us different options to the other strikers we have. We need him with the same ambition and determination. His physical strength gives us patterns to attack in different ways. The team needs this version of Sorloth.”
Regarding the Supercup semi-final against Real Madrid, Simeone makes it clear that it will be different from the match at the Metropolitano, when his team won 5-2 at the end of September.
“The match we play at the Metropolitano will have no relation to the game on Thursday. Each of us, with our own strengths, will have to play in the way we believe possible to stay in this competition,” said Simeone.
