Joel: “Atlético de Madrid has to aspire to play in Europe”
“Going with the Under-21s was a nice experience”
Joel Robles played with the Under-21 National Teal last week in a friendly that allowed him to gain experience. The ‘rojiblanco’ goalkeeper was happy to have played that match and spoke at a press conference about what it meant to him, in addition to highlighting that he is confident the team will accomplish its European goal.
The ‘rojiblanco’ netminder stated that “it’s been a tough year for me because I’m not playing for my team, as I have David (De Gea) ahead of me, but I’m happy for having gone with the national team. Going to play with the Under-21s was a nice experience.”
He doesn’t think the fact that rumors are circulating in the press regarding the supposed interest of several teams for his teammate De Gea might benefit him. “I’m relaxed. It’s more than normal for David to have lots of suitors. He’s a young goalkeeper who is showing that he’s going to be one of the best keepers in the world. I’m calm, working hard, and I’m ready to compete.”
He’s not worried about another netminder coming to fight for his spot. “I’m not going to get concerned if the Club signs another goalie. David is very happy at Atlético de Madrid and he’s a player who’s a reference point at the Club right now.”
Next weekend the team has to play at a difficult stadium, the Reyno de Navarra, against Osasuna. “Osasuna’s field is tough. Those are three points that we need to stay in the battle for European spots and the week is going well; we’re on the right path to achieve that goal of winning.”
There’s less and less league play left, but Joel believes that Atlético de Madrid still has possibilities to qualify for European competition. “Atlético de Madrid has to aspire to play in Europe. We’re aware that we have to earn the three points in Pamplona no matter what.”
Concerning the fixture that Spain is set to play in Kaunas against Lithuania with the pitch in horrible conditions, he said that “there are high-quality players and they’re used to playing on any kind of surface. They’ll have to get adapt to it and play a different kind of football but, in the end, they’re going to have to deal with it.”
The ‘rojiblanco’ netminder stated that “it’s been a tough year for me because I’m not playing for my team, as I have David (De Gea) ahead of me, but I’m happy for having gone with the national team. Going to play with the Under-21s was a nice experience.”
He doesn’t think the fact that rumors are circulating in the press regarding the supposed interest of several teams for his teammate De Gea might benefit him. “I’m relaxed. It’s more than normal for David to have lots of suitors. He’s a young goalkeeper who is showing that he’s going to be one of the best keepers in the world. I’m calm, working hard, and I’m ready to compete.”
He’s not worried about another netminder coming to fight for his spot. “I’m not going to get concerned if the Club signs another goalie. David is very happy at Atlético de Madrid and he’s a player who’s a reference point at the Club right now.”
Next weekend the team has to play at a difficult stadium, the Reyno de Navarra, against Osasuna. “Osasuna’s field is tough. Those are three points that we need to stay in the battle for European spots and the week is going well; we’re on the right path to achieve that goal of winning.”
There’s less and less league play left, but Joel believes that Atlético de Madrid still has possibilities to qualify for European competition. “Atlético de Madrid has to aspire to play in Europe. We’re aware that we have to earn the three points in Pamplona no matter what.”
Concerning the fixture that Spain is set to play in Kaunas against Lithuania with the pitch in horrible conditions, he said that “there are high-quality players and they’re used to playing on any kind of surface. They’ll have to get adapt to it and play a different kind of football but, in the end, they’re going to have to deal with it.”
