"We must take advantage of the chances we have to hurt the rival"
Diego Pablo Simeone, Atlético de Madrid’s coach, said at the press conference prior to the Champions League final that he’s calm, and if Diego Costa and Arda Turan cannot play, he has the replacement ready.
"We will evaluate Diego and Arda in today’s training. Yesterday they were feeling better and in reality, we’ll see how they’re feeling, and in consequence, we’ll act according to how they feel", he claimed at the start of the press conference.
This group has empowered the technical staff; words are sometimes not enough to express gratitude
Regarding what Simeone would do for these players who have done so much in the time he’s been in Atlético de Madrid, the coach said, "This group has empowered a technical staff that came two years and a half ago to work for the Club with a lot of enthusiasm. Words are sometimes not enough to express gratitude. I always say that I am constantly grateful for the effort they are making. The hardest thing for a coach or a technical staff is to transmit what one feels from Thursday. And these players have allowed us, as a technical staff, to represent the feeling we have for this sport".
With respect to the message to the players, the coach said, "We must take advantage of the chances we have to hurt the rival. It’s the best way to face a group that comes from a very nice triumph in the League. But that’s another page that is now turning, since we are only a few hours away from a unique match".
Atlético’s coach recognizes, "In the motivational part, everything that comes from outside favours an easier arrival to this situation. It’s important the way we can read the game and get away from external influences to play the match. Regarding whether Arda or Costa will be playing, they’re only names. They are important players but there are two other players who know they will play if Arda and Costa don’t. We are working and waiting accordingly".
