Simeone: "It’s not easy to come to San Mamés and to win again"

Diego Pablo Simeone appeared at a press conference after the come back in San Mames (1-4) to highlight the great response given by his players in an extraordinary second half. "We made a bad first half but entered the second half very differently. A great second half by the team, which responded very well to the details that we could talk of during the interval, when they tied, every minute felt more solid. The gaps started to open and from there, the team defended very well. It was intense and they started to win what they had lost in the first half. The second half was more for Atlético de Madrid," he said.

Atlético’s coach continued by pointing out that the duel against Athletic de Bilabo is another example of the winning spirit of his guys. A locker room capable of overcoming any adversity. "The first half was hard for us. It was not good, but bad. We could not find our place, we were undefined because of them. We didn't win the cleared balls. The second half was much better. The team felt calmer in their positions and managed to close 2014 as a huge year. Great because of a group of players who move forward no matter how big the difficulty of the situation. Today wasn’t an easy match, losing 1-0 and playing poorly, and they responded in a wonderful Stadium with fans who always respond and with an extraordinary second half. I’ll say it again, congratulations, because it’s not easy to come to this field and to win again," he commented.

He also had words for one of the stars of the night, Antoine Griezmann, a player from whom he expects great performances like the one lived in San Mamés. "In the first half he couldn’t find the way to get into the game and be able to break in terms of his speed. In the second half, it was the opposite. He made a terrific second half. The player we needed, the one we went looking for. We trust his characteristics very much and we need him," he acknowledged.