Diego Simeone praises collective effort after landmark 5-2 win over Real Madrid
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Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone celebrates with Robin le Normand after the home match against Real.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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MADRID – Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone hailed his team’s faith and collective effort after their stunning 5-2 victory over Real Madrid in La Liga on Sept 27, marking the first time in 75 years that Atletico had scored five goals against their city rivals.
“Real Madrid are one of the best teams in the world, and today we had to play a great game,” the Argentinian told reporters.
“From the start, we knew where we could do damage, with breaks on the outside with Nico (Gonzalez), (Pablo) Barrios, Julian (Alvarez), Giuliano (Simeone)... pulling the centre-backs out and leaving (Alexander) Sorloth inside to create chances.
“I think that, beyond their two goals, the team did well.”
The hosts came flying out of the blocks and took the lead through Robin le Normand.
Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler netted to put Real in front but Sorloth levelled for Atletico at the end of a thrilling first half.
Alvarez fired in from the penalty spot and then bent a free kick in after the break. Antoine Griezmann grabbed the fifth late on to seal an important win after a shaky start to the campaign.
Atletico had managed just one victory in their first six matches across all competitions.
Simeone, now in his 14th season with the club, acknowledged the emotional weight of the result, shedding tears of joy on the bench in the final minutes.
“There are a lot of emotions inside,” he said. “The season started off difficult and there’s a lot of effort from a lot of people that you don’t see, and it’s been wonderful.”
He also singled out countryman Alvarez, who scored twice and played a pivotal role in the victory, saying: “Julian is committed to the team, to the club and he is very good. He has talent and works hard.
“He not only contributes offensively but he also works hard and is committed to the team to create good dynamics. We need him, we have to take care of him, and hopefully he can stay with the club for many years.”
Real coach Xabi Alonso, meanwhile, admitted that his side had fallen short of their usual standards.
“We didn’t start well but this is ongoing,” he said. “We must draw conclusions, because this is ongoing. It’s a deserved defeat... we lacked a gear. A defeat that hurts, yes.
“Perhaps it will be beneficial for the future. We didn’t start well in the duels, in the ball to space. We were too much like losers.”
The victory lifts Atletico to fourth in the standings on 12 points. Real remain top with 18 points, two ahead of Barcelona, who can move top if they beat Real Sociedad in a Sept 28 tie that ended after press time. REUTERS, AFP
