“We’re very excited and with a lot of enthusiasm”
Koke and Raúl García spoke at the press conference prior to the semifinals game against Chelsea. The Atléticos designed an “even” fixture where they “will give their best” to win the first qualifying round.
Koke admitted that “Playing a Champions League semifinal with the team you’ve grown with since you’re a kid is spectacular. I always dreamt of it. Tomorrow, if the coach deems it appropriate, I’ll play and we’ll see how it goes, but we’re going there very excited and with a lot of enthusiasm”. Raúl García predicted “A very even match. We play against a rival that clearly knows what they want, but we’ve worked to take it to our side. It will be a very physical match where tactics will be highly present”.
The fans have to keep being player number twelve, supporting the team unconditionally, as they always have. “They always support us and it’s important that all the fans come tomorrow. We’re going to stand up for them”, Koke said. Something with which the third Atlético captain agrees with. “When the team works to achieve important things we also need the fans’ support, and they’ve never failed us. To achieve those things, we all have to be together”.
Regarding Fernando Torres’ return to the Vicente Calderón, it’ll be special, as Koke explained. “Fernando is always a model for the home-grown players. It’ll be the first time he steps on the Vicente Calderón with another team. I’m sure people are very fond of him, I wish him the best of luck but we want tomorrow’s match not to be his if he plays”.
Lastly, Raúl García pointed out, “I’m aware that we’re facing a great rival, but if anything, we’re a fighting team, that’s ambitious and wants to win. Not fear, but respect, always. Respect of the block they have, a well worked team, that defends well and has similar things to us”, he concluded.
