This list
Pre-match press conference
Regarding the importance of the upcoming Copa del Rey for the team, the head coach said:
'From the very beginning of our work at the club, we have followed the policy of playing every game as a final, and we have spared no effort to encourage the players to do so."
Regarding the recent communication with Suarez, Simone said:
'Two months ago, I talked to Suarez about my views on him, including his importance to the team, the difference between his situation on the pitch and when he wasn't on the pitch, and he knew exactly what I thought.
Regarding asking the team to replicate the Porto miracle, the manager said:
"I'll tell you what I see. I can't ask the team to have to do anything because I'm playing the role of a facilitator. When the results are bad, a lot of negative things emerge. But I can't ask the team for more because they work hard, they look forward to it and they want to prove themselves. In such moments we must remain calm and patient, because the results of the effort will always come, and hope is tomorrow. ”
On whether the team has been under more pressure due to its recent poor performance:
"It's more about responsibility than pressure. In March last season, everyone thought we were about to lose the La Liga title, but the more difficult the moment, the more the team was able to show their resilience and rebellious spirit, although the process was tortured, but in the end we won the La Liga title. Last year, due to the impact of the epidemic, the team once faced a desperate situation of elimination from the Champions League group, but the team coped well and proved itself. I believe in my team, I believe in the abilities of the players in my team, and I have no doubt that they will prove themselves again. ”
On whether the team lost the ability to catch up when the score was behind, Simeone said:
"If we look back at the last two games, Athletic Bilbao's goal was in 80 minutes and we don't have time to come back in just 6, 7 minutes. As for Villarreal, the timing of their second goal happened to be the best stage of the team's performance, and I think the team has handled it well in the case of being behind. ”