Simeone: "Being between Barca and Madrid this season fills me with pride"

The coach began be referring to the Real Sociedad game. "It was another game we played in the league that we lost and we worked as we are always doing. We know that on Sunday we will face a tough opponent away from home. We will have to play the game with a lot of intensity," he said.

As for the game by Barcelona against Milan and, in particular, Messi, the coach said that "I am proud of Atletico to be between Barcelona and Real Madrid through the whole campaign. Seeing what Barcelona do on a daily basis, reinforces all that we have been doing here. I saw the game yesterday and to think we're fighting with them, and until last week we were in second place ahead of Madrid then to see Barcelona win 4-0 against Milan and Madrid win in Manchester, says that the players of Atletico Madrid are doing great work".

Going back to last Sunday's game, Simeone said: "The attitude, the will, intention and effort was there from the team. We could not score in the first twenty when Real couldn’t get out. And the second half was like the first. There was a half chance that they ended up scoring from. Then we had chances. Miranda had a very good chance, o too did Cristian. We struggled to have peace of mind in the last minute to get back in to the game. Now, looking at what is coming, we must continue to insist to have that fluidity in the final minutes."

Courtois is a great keeper, with a hugely important present and a future 

 

 As to whether Courtois will continue or not, the technician showed his opinion but said "it doen not depends on us alone, but a lot of factors. Courtois is a great keeper, a young boy with a hugely important present and future. Hopefully the club can resolve it in the best way that suits the team, which is to stay. " In this respect, the answer was emphatic "yes" he has asked the club.

The fact that players want Sunday to come as soon as possible, is to the coach, normal because it is "what happens when you lose a game. You want to play right away. And we know that we will play against the team who has conceded the second fewest goals. That means that they defend well and we have to play accordingly to the situation, environment and opponent. I think the feeling and desire is to play immediately after a loss."

The coach made it clear that "what we have to know is that the championship is very long. And there are always times when you win or lose and maybe luck played a part. We will try to put it right in the next game in the best way. We must continue on that line and forget what happened and grow as a team, as always."

Regarding next Sunday's opponent, Simeone said "Osasuna play very well in midfield and up front. They are a dangerous team. The numbers are always important and they are a team that has conceded very few goals. I imagine a tight game in midfield, with little space to play with. The team that takes advantage of their chances will be closer to winning the game." 

With Miranda the club is taking important steps to continue growing

Miranda will continue until 2016, good news for the club and Simeone confirmed. The technician said that "it is an important steps sthat shows the club is continuing to grow. There are cases of other who had previously renewed and it is good news to have Miranda for more years. Keeping him generates defensive structure. He is a player who has grown a lot in recent times and is important for us.”

In this regard, Miranda did not train or Monday or Wednesday. El Cholo says "He took a knock on the foot and I do not know if it will recover. Let's wait. Hopefully if given time he’ll be ok for Sunday."