Diego Simeone , coach of Atlético de Madrid , unloaded this Saturday from pressure on his team and Joao Felix , who explained that he is not "worried about carrying his backpack", on the eve of the premiere in the competition against Getafe of the new red and white team , reinforced with "people who want to be here".

It is the debut of the 'new' athletic project, the eighth of the coach, and the sensation of this preseason: Joao Felix. "That he continues along the same lines as he is. He is a boy with an open head to listen and want to learn, he is improving in collective aspects, especially in teamwork, and everything he has will be demonstrated in the field when situations appear, "he said.

"I am not worried about carrying his backpack. I treat him as an important footballer that we have and I try to get the best out of him for the team," continued the Argentine coach, after the morning session at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium, which marks from this Sunday the start of the competition for the rojiblanco team.

And with all the expectations, in addition, that it has generated with its imposing preseason, full of triumphs, six, although one of them previously passed through the penalty shootout, against Chivas. He set an example when he talked about the strength of the team. "There was a scenario where the team got strong from a difficulty (the expulsion of Marcos Llorente in the 24th minute)," he reviewed. "The team understood how to play that game when he stayed with one less. It was a great training for the difficult moments that will appear. And the first 20 minutes against Juventus were complex, but the team responded immediately to what was happening, "insisted the coach.

The prism from which he focuses the game with Getafe, "a rival who has been doing a fantastic season, with a coach ( José Bordalás ) who demands and commits his team as he demonstrates in the field," he said, is different from the six duels of preparation: "It is a hard game and different from all of the preseason because of the characteristics of the team that we are going to find."

Is the favorite Atlético to win the League? Do you have that pressure? " We do not have that vision. There have been many new players who have to adapt and engage in what Atlético de Madrid is. They are doing very well. The team has responded accordingly to what we have been working on. Our illusion is to continue improving day by day, "the technician limited in the press conference.

Atlético has invested 250 million euros in signings to correct the "important" casualties of Antoine Griezmann , Rodrigo Hernández and Lucas Hernández , who have come out through their termination clauses, the first two, or the amount of them, the third, and the end of the cycle of Diego Godín, Juanfran Torres or Filipe Luis, the last three survivors of the first eleven of Simeone in 2012. "The renovation and the transition that had to change the sides needed the team," recalled the coach, who He also addressed the arrivals, whose profile coincides in some aspects: "Generate enthusiasm, people who want to be here, feel the joy of wearing this shirt and consequently play as we have been doing."

While he explained that " the Giménez, the Koke, the Saul, the Thomas are the ones who have to start occupying that place that historical boys have left" who have given "life" for Atlético and "have sustained the team at the time more difficult ", his team still has the staff open to news; inputs, outputs or both. " We would like all the coaches (that the market was closed at the beginning of the League). In England it happens like this. It would be much healthier mentally to focus on the boys who are going to compete. And until September (the market concludes on Day 2 in Spain) we will have to wait, because there is always news, "he explained.

Atlético has some fronts still open. One is the departure or not of Angel Correa . Would Simeone like to stay? "I would like all the good players to stay, all the good players to come and always form the best team so that the club continues to compete as it has competed so far," he said.

He also avoided talking about the possible signing of striker Rodrigo Moreno for Atlético. "That is what Andrea Berta (sports director), Miguel Ángel (Gil Marín, CEO) and Enrique (Cerezo, president) have to ask," said the coach when asked directly about how that negotiation is.

Waiting for the outcome, there are already eight reinforcements in the workforce, including the Brazilian Renan Lodi , who highlighted his growth: "He has come with great enthusiasm and eager to listen and learn. He has a very strong force. It is improving and growing in the details that we believe it has to improve. Its offensive vocation naturally has it. It is growing a lot and will continue to improve with that mentality of wanting to learn every day. "

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  • Joao Felix
  • Atlético de Madrid
  • Marcos Llorente
  • Rodrigo Moreno
  • Koke
  • Koke Resurrection
  • Diego Simeone
  • Antoine Griezmann
  • football
  • Spanish league

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