Quique S. Flores: 'We wanted to show that Atlético is a different team'
'Luis Perea is a reference point inside the dressing room'
Quique Sánchez Flores believes that his team took revenge from the first round loss to Levante. The manager stated that “back then we had a week that affected the squad’s season. I spoke with the players and we wanted to correct that image. We wanted to show that we were a different team and things went well for us.”
Concerning the actual performance on the pitch, with the presence of three non-usual starters, Quique explained that “there was no doubt that they were going to respond well. They played a great game and the team didn’t notice the changes.”
The head coach eluded fixing a number of points he’d like to finish with, assured that “I’ve always said that this team works day-do-day. They get muddled up when long-term goals are set. The goal is to earn as many points as we can from now until the end of the season. If we finish the season in European spots and a title, this won’t have been one of Atlético de Madrid’s worst seasons.”
“I’m very appreciative of the organization, pleased with the fans and delighted with the performance of the players,” highlighted Quique.
With respect to the play of Juanfran and Elías, Quique explained that “it’s not easy to fit into the team. They arrived at a tough time during the season, have had their adaptation processes. Everyone can’t play at the same time. It’s difficult to get playing time when things are going well.”
Quique also wanted to congratulate Perea for equalling Griffa’s record of 203 games played in La Liga, the most ever for a non-Spanish player with Atlético. “There are players who are a reference points inside the dressing room. There are no coincidences in football and playing so many games with a team at this level… All of the coaches here have played him and that speaks about his quality. It was a good move by Atlético de Madrid to sign him,” Quique s. Flores concluded.
Concerning the actual performance on the pitch, with the presence of three non-usual starters, Quique explained that “there was no doubt that they were going to respond well. They played a great game and the team didn’t notice the changes.”
The head coach eluded fixing a number of points he’d like to finish with, assured that “I’ve always said that this team works day-do-day. They get muddled up when long-term goals are set. The goal is to earn as many points as we can from now until the end of the season. If we finish the season in European spots and a title, this won’t have been one of Atlético de Madrid’s worst seasons.”
“I’m very appreciative of the organization, pleased with the fans and delighted with the performance of the players,” highlighted Quique.
With respect to the play of Juanfran and Elías, Quique explained that “it’s not easy to fit into the team. They arrived at a tough time during the season, have had their adaptation processes. Everyone can’t play at the same time. It’s difficult to get playing time when things are going well.”
Quique also wanted to congratulate Perea for equalling Griffa’s record of 203 games played in La Liga, the most ever for a non-Spanish player with Atlético. “There are players who are a reference points inside the dressing room. There are no coincidences in football and playing so many games with a team at this level… All of the coaches here have played him and that speaks about his quality. It was a good move by Atlético de Madrid to sign him,” Quique s. Flores concluded.