Soccer
Diego Simeone took time to reflect happily on his 500 LaLiga games in charge of Atletico Madrid after Saturday’s win over Mallorca.
Simeone, who took charge of Atleti in 2011, saw his team put in a solid display in his milestone match.
A first-half goal from Samuel Lino was followed up by a stoppage-time stunner from Antoine Griezmann to seal a 2-0 win.
And Simeone took the chance to look back on his “journey” with the club.
“I am very happy with this journey, without a doubt,” he said.
“Many people in the coaching staff who are no longer here helped us get to this point, many footballers who shared an idea and represented it on the pitch, leaders who are no longer here and accompanied us. It makes me very happy.
“I’ll make a special section for my family. Without their support and company, this would be impossible. It has been many years giving all the love and responsibility to a club that I love very much, but we take a lot of time away from the family.”
500 @LaLigaEN games and counting pic.twitter.com/yAU4T3rdCY
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) February 1, 2025
Simeone is the eighth coach to oversee 500 games in LaLiga history, and the first to do so with a single club.
Atletico continued their impressive defensive record, having conceded a league-low 14 goals this season and keeping clean sheets in half of their 22 LaLiga games.
“The teams that end up fighting for important things are the ones that concede the fewest goals,” Simeone said.
“Our goal is to maintain this solidity and continue to grow in the offensive part. The team competes very well.
“We needed this victory, we were coming off a bad moment, and we had to win.
“These are games in which, with a 1-0 [lead], any situation can lead to a draw. Luckily, it ended with a brilliant move, a delight from Antoine to secure the victory.”
Griezmann’s goal marked his first strike in LaLiga in close to two months.
“It is impossible not to continue saying more positive things about Griezmann,” Simeone added.
“He continues to age, working in the same way he did before and is forceful in the way he plays.
“We have to help him so that he does not stray from this line. People have become accustomed to having him and always want to see his best version. We need the best Antoine to compete for the highest goals.”
Atleti’s win was followed up by a shock defeat for Real Madrid at Espanyol, meaning there is just one point separating the capital clubs ahead of next week’s derby.
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