Madrid, Aug 7 (IANS) Spanish football club Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has not changed his aims for the coming season as his side looks to once again challenge the dominance of economic powerhouses FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.
After winning the 2014 league title, Atletico had to settle for third place least season, but a busy summer in the transfer window has seen the club sign attacking talent such as Jackson Martinez and Luciano Vietto and they look to have more options going forward, reports Xinhua.
Despite this, Simeone insists that his players have to take matters “one game at a time” — something that has been his catch-phrase during his time at the club.
“The biggest challenge for me is to be able to balance the characteristics of all the players,” he said.
“It is not easy to form a powerful squad. You need to be able to get the best out of everyone…that is why it is not unusual for a player here to go from watching in the stands to being in the side, or vice-versa. So my aim is to choose what is most positive for every game,” he said.
Simeone agreed that the arrival of Martinez and Vietto, who can play alongside Antoine Griezmann and Fernando Torres gives his side more attacking punch, but he insisted he was “more worried about what happens,” than by expectations.
He was also positive about young midfielder, Oliver Torres, who returns after a loan spell with Portuguese club Porto, saying there were “great expectations” to see him play. Meanwhile the coach described Martinez as a “different” player.
“He is a finisher, he is different and he is more of a killer and we have to see how he plays in different formations,” said Simeone.
“August is the most dangerous month. You have to be alert. I hope that nothing happens, but you can’t say anything until the market closes. August doesn’t allow me to relax and it worries me,” he concluded.
