Simeone: 'Every time you go to ground, the image condemns you'

In his press conference, Simeone explains his substitutions after the sending-off and issues a warning to his players: going to ground is dangerous because the image on television is very striking and ends in a red card. Rubén Uría sees him as very angry.

In his post-match press conference, Simeone went through his plan after the sending-off: the substitutions became about controlling the game, and only at the end did he take a risk with Sorloth, looking for a counter-attack against a Stuttgart side pushing for the win.

Simeone was unhappy after the match: "I think yesterday, in the pre-match, I was explaining the opponent's characteristics: tough, compact, the pressing; they took time away from us, they didn't let us think. We knew it and we couldn't respond. With the goal, the team improved. Naturally, it made us react. The team started to show signs of being in the game. We knew the goal was going to come, and with the sending-off we had to readjust again. The changes were then about controlling the game. We wanted to bring on Sorloth in case of a counter-attack. The lads made a huge effort that we could have avoided... every time we go to ground, the challenge is dangerous. The image influences you and condemns you; they need to be more alert."

On Hjulmand's red card and the penalty that wasn't given

"The image looks violent. You can see he steps on his ankle, that's all. It's also hard not to go to ground in a fast-paced game," said Simeone. On the clear penalty not given for a foul on Hancko, Simeone explained that whatever is said now no longer matters, because it changes nothing: "No, they can't award the penalty now. We'll be left with the feeling that it was a penalty and they didn't give it. It doesn't change anything."

Simeone expressed his satisfaction with Julián Alvarez's goal: "He scored a superb goal, I'm very happy for him. We need him to get to where we want to go." Simeone also praised his players' effort during those 30 minutes with ten men, but quickly added that it was an effort that could have been avoided. He said he had already told his players, that he is repeating it and that he will repeat it every day: they will have to be more alert, because every time you go to ground, the image influences and condemns you.

After listening to him, Rubén Uría was in no doubt that Simeone was furious with the team's performance and with the negative circumstances that could have been avoided.