Á. Domínguez: 'The bad patch in January has kept us from being up higher”
“The academy players contribute desire, energy and excitement”
Álvaro Domínguez believes that the ‘rojiblanco’ squad earned a very important victory over the third best team in the second half of the season, Levante. The center back explained that “we received an opponent on a hot streak. It wasn’t an easy match-up, but the team maintained a solid line of play and we were able to win the game.”
The defender evaluated the importance of qualifying for a European competition and said that “getting into Europe isn’t a bad thing. The bad patch in January has kept us from being up higher in the table. Now we have to go game-to-game. We have to qualify for the Europa League.”
The Atlético player didn’t want to talk about the possibility of making it to Champions League, as he prefers to remain cautious, assuring that “the dressing room doesn’t work well when we set long-term goals. We have to follow the same line and take things match-to-match and earn points, as at the end that’s what will place us higher in the standings.”
Concerning his performance against Levante, Álvaro felt that “my job in the team is to contribute, both from off the field and on it. When the coach gives me a chance, I try to take advantage of it.”
The defender also had time to speak about his partner in the center of the defense, Perea, who equaled Griffa’s record for most games by a foreigner for Atleti. “We know how Luis is and we all congratulated him; it’s not easy and we’re very happy for him. He deserves it,” he pointed out.
With respect to his assessment of the current forms of Agüero and Forlán, Domínguez stated that “when the team is playing well one tries to touch it as little as possible and possibly for that reason Diego Forlán hasn’t been in the starting eleven, but we have enough alternatives to replace either one. Agüero has amazing qualities. He provides us with a lot, he gives us live up front and he decided the match once again against Levante.”
To finish, he spoke about the first team debut of Alberto Noguera. “When the referee blew the final whistle I congratulated him. It’s positive for the Club because the academy players contribute desire, energy and excitement. We home-grown players are the ones who have to push the organization forward,” Álvaro Domínguez concluded.
The defender evaluated the importance of qualifying for a European competition and said that “getting into Europe isn’t a bad thing. The bad patch in January has kept us from being up higher in the table. Now we have to go game-to-game. We have to qualify for the Europa League.”
The Atlético player didn’t want to talk about the possibility of making it to Champions League, as he prefers to remain cautious, assuring that “the dressing room doesn’t work well when we set long-term goals. We have to follow the same line and take things match-to-match and earn points, as at the end that’s what will place us higher in the standings.”
Concerning his performance against Levante, Álvaro felt that “my job in the team is to contribute, both from off the field and on it. When the coach gives me a chance, I try to take advantage of it.”
The defender also had time to speak about his partner in the center of the defense, Perea, who equaled Griffa’s record for most games by a foreigner for Atleti. “We know how Luis is and we all congratulated him; it’s not easy and we’re very happy for him. He deserves it,” he pointed out.
With respect to his assessment of the current forms of Agüero and Forlán, Domínguez stated that “when the team is playing well one tries to touch it as little as possible and possibly for that reason Diego Forlán hasn’t been in the starting eleven, but we have enough alternatives to replace either one. Agüero has amazing qualities. He provides us with a lot, he gives us live up front and he decided the match once again against Levante.”
To finish, he spoke about the first team debut of Alberto Noguera. “When the referee blew the final whistle I congratulated him. It’s positive for the Club because the academy players contribute desire, energy and excitement. We home-grown players are the ones who have to push the organization forward,” Álvaro Domínguez concluded.