Luis Perea: 'If we always play like that, we’ll win most of the games”
“The most important thing is to take things step-by-step”
Luis Amaranto Perea, who played the full 90 minutes against Real Sociedad, attended to the media the day after the league win over Real Sociedad. The Colombian appeared satisfied with the play unfurled by the ‘rojiblanco’ side and assured that he’s confident it will continue. “We’d had a talk and knew it was fundamental to be in European competition. We’ve taken another step forward and played a good game. We felt good and I think that our supporters enjoyed themselves,” he highlighted.
“I’d say that we’re going into the home stretch in our best form. I think that our players are quite a bit better, and we’re also linking up well collectively. The important thing is that we’re improving and can repeat what we did in previous season when we came on strong at the end and finished up there where we wanted to. Our attackers have started scoring again, and that’s important for them and even more so for us, because when we take the lead the team plays differently. Hopefully the streak will continue and our players will keep scoring and stay happy so that we get lots more victories,” he commented.
Regarding the games left on the schedule for Atlético de Madrid and the possibility of continuing to climb positions in the table, Perea was cautious and preferred not to look past the next fixture against Espanyol. “I respect all of the opponents, beyond the situation in which each one finds itself because they’re all going to give their all in order to play their best. We can’t slow down and I believe that if we play with the same intensity and concentration level that we’re going to win most of our games. But I have respect for all the teams and what’s left of the season is going to be very complicated. It’s normal for both the media and the fans to get excited and want to qualify for Champions League. We also would want that, but the most important thing is to go step by step. Everything goes through us winning on Sunday against a direct rival for our aspirations. After that, whatever comes will come,” he explained.
Just two games from equaling the mythical player Griffa as the foreigner with most games played with the Atlético de Madrid jersey, the Colombian center back assured that he’s very happy to be within reach of such a big milestone. “From my time here, I’ll stick with everything because I’ve been here for a long time and it feels like it’s been a lifetime. In fact, I felt a bit strange training with my national team at my home here in Spain in other colors. I feel proud and pleased; hopefully I’ll be able to fulfill the dream of breaking that record because it hasn’t been easy, but here I am, trying to get better every day and contributing to get this team where it should be,” he stated.
To finish, regarding the possibility of the Spanish national team playing in the upcoming Copa America, Perea asserted that “I’d be delighted if Spain played in the Copa America. It would bring a higher standard to something that, for us South Americans, is the best thing we could have.”
“I’d say that we’re going into the home stretch in our best form. I think that our players are quite a bit better, and we’re also linking up well collectively. The important thing is that we’re improving and can repeat what we did in previous season when we came on strong at the end and finished up there where we wanted to. Our attackers have started scoring again, and that’s important for them and even more so for us, because when we take the lead the team plays differently. Hopefully the streak will continue and our players will keep scoring and stay happy so that we get lots more victories,” he commented.
Regarding the games left on the schedule for Atlético de Madrid and the possibility of continuing to climb positions in the table, Perea was cautious and preferred not to look past the next fixture against Espanyol. “I respect all of the opponents, beyond the situation in which each one finds itself because they’re all going to give their all in order to play their best. We can’t slow down and I believe that if we play with the same intensity and concentration level that we’re going to win most of our games. But I have respect for all the teams and what’s left of the season is going to be very complicated. It’s normal for both the media and the fans to get excited and want to qualify for Champions League. We also would want that, but the most important thing is to go step by step. Everything goes through us winning on Sunday against a direct rival for our aspirations. After that, whatever comes will come,” he explained.
Just two games from equaling the mythical player Griffa as the foreigner with most games played with the Atlético de Madrid jersey, the Colombian center back assured that he’s very happy to be within reach of such a big milestone. “From my time here, I’ll stick with everything because I’ve been here for a long time and it feels like it’s been a lifetime. In fact, I felt a bit strange training with my national team at my home here in Spain in other colors. I feel proud and pleased; hopefully I’ll be able to fulfill the dream of breaking that record because it hasn’t been easy, but here I am, trying to get better every day and contributing to get this team where it should be,” he stated.
To finish, regarding the possibility of the Spanish national team playing in the upcoming Copa America, Perea asserted that “I’d be delighted if Spain played in the Copa America. It would bring a higher standard to something that, for us South Americans, is the best thing we could have.”