Diego Simeone has hailed his team’s new competition for places in attack, after Tuesday evening’s 3-0 Copa del Rey win over third-tier Lleida sealed a 7-0 passage to the quarterfinals.
“I am happy that in six years since I arrived at Atletico to have achieved such competition for places,” Simeone said. “I am proud that we have top players like Gameiro, Costa, Correa, Griezmann and Torres.
“I hope I can manage it as best as possible, to do that we have to keep winning. The more we win, the more games we play, the more chances.”
“I have no doubt that Costa has been the most important player who has come to Atletico in recent years,” Simeone said. “I have no influence over the appeal, that does not depend on us.”
Ahead of Friday’s quarterfinal draw, which could pair Atletico with stumbling city rivals Real Madrid, Simeone said he expected Blancos coach Zinedine Zidane would get his talented squad back in form quickly.
“I will not give my opinion about Madrid but they are still the best team in the world, they have won a lot lately,” he said. “Football is about moments, and coaches do not get too happy when things go well, or get too upset when things do not go as expected. Maintaining that balance is the most important, and most difficult in sport.”
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