"We work hard to be up here"
Simeone used the academy in the game against Cordoba. Five of the young people who took the field fulfilled their dream of debuting with the first team.
Simeone took eleven homegrown players to Cordoba and five of them had the opportunity to debut with the first team in a friendly match at El Arcangel, which ended in a one all draw.
The young defender from Atletico B was part of the team from the start and said "It was a nice experience and a dream fulfilled to debut with the first team. I'm very proud."
The youth said "I always want to play with this team and enjoyed the moment," and said the first team players treated them "wonderfully". "It's very easy to play with them. They help you in everything," he said.
Nana, a midfielder from The B team, started too, he said "I felt very good. It is very difficult get to play in the first team. This was a golden opportunity and we will keep trying. Hopefully we will have more opportunities."
Borja Martínez came on for Nana after 71 minutes. He said "It was a unique experience. All the academy work hard to be given the opportunity to reach the first team. The teammates welcome us perfectly and we felt very comfortable."
Borja spoke about the words that Simeone gave them after the game: "He congratulated us and told us that this is the way. Work hard to be up here," he said.
Carlos Ramos was the player who replaced the injured Leo Baptistão, who suffered a sprained right ankle, "I was proud to debut with the first team. We work every day in our category in order to have the opportunity to play for Atletico Madrid. It is a pleasure to share minutes with these players. The coach told me to play without nerves, that he has seen me in the C team and to do as I have been doing with my team."
Lucas Hernandez will remember this week all his life. On Sunday he sat on the bench for Atletico in the league match against Villarreal, then on Wednesday the youth had the opportunity to start in the friendly match: "It's the dream of every child come true. I am very happy and grateful for the confidence of Simeone. The coach told us to get out and enjoy with confidence and try to take advantage of the situation."
