Mario Suárez: “We have to enforce our play in front of our fans”
“We have to qualify in our stadium”
Atlético de Madrid player Mario Suárez appeared at a press conference the day before the Europa League encounter that the ‘rojiblanco’ squad will play against Aris at the Vicente Calderón. The central midfielder expressed that, above all, he hopes to clinch passage to the next round of the competition in this match. “We have to qualify as soon as possible and to do that we need the three points. We’re convinced that we’re going to achieve it, although we know it’s going to be difficult, but we’re going to go for it and we hope that that’s what happens,” he stated.
Mario knows that one of the keys for Atlético is to not be overconfident against the Greek side if they want to offer a victory and qualification to the ‘rojiblanco’ supporters. “We don’t want to let any points escape from here; we want all three. We have to enforce our play against them and in front of our fans to give them something to cheer about by clinching here,” he commented.
Furthermore, the home-grown talent warned that Atlético prefers not to think beyond Aris and, for the time being, isn’t thinking about the possibility of finishing first in their group. “First we’re mentally preparing ourselves to earn the three points to ensure ourselves of qualifying. Then we’ll go to Germany to play for first place with Leverkusen. We want to gain as many points as we can to be first, but the main thing is to earn qualification on Wednesday. Then we’ll have time to think about it,” he asserted.
On a personal note, the central midfielder has been enjoying the confidence of Quique Sánchez Flores in recent matches, which is allowing him to settle into the team and develop his play. “Obviously when one is playing they’re happier. Now I’m getting more chances and I’m trying to take advantage of them to gain the coach’s confidence and then he’ll be the one to decide. Although I think that there are no starters in this squad; we’re all capable of playing and there’s lots of competition. That makes sure that nobody relaxes. I have to try and play well and help the team as much as I can,” he finished.
Mario knows that one of the keys for Atlético is to not be overconfident against the Greek side if they want to offer a victory and qualification to the ‘rojiblanco’ supporters. “We don’t want to let any points escape from here; we want all three. We have to enforce our play against them and in front of our fans to give them something to cheer about by clinching here,” he commented.
Furthermore, the home-grown talent warned that Atlético prefers not to think beyond Aris and, for the time being, isn’t thinking about the possibility of finishing first in their group. “First we’re mentally preparing ourselves to earn the three points to ensure ourselves of qualifying. Then we’ll go to Germany to play for first place with Leverkusen. We want to gain as many points as we can to be first, but the main thing is to earn qualification on Wednesday. Then we’ll have time to think about it,” he asserted.
On a personal note, the central midfielder has been enjoying the confidence of Quique Sánchez Flores in recent matches, which is allowing him to settle into the team and develop his play. “Obviously when one is playing they’re happier. Now I’m getting more chances and I’m trying to take advantage of them to gain the coach’s confidence and then he’ll be the one to decide. Although I think that there are no starters in this squad; we’re all capable of playing and there’s lots of competition. That makes sure that nobody relaxes. I have to try and play well and help the team as much as I can,” he finished.