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Simeone on Metropolitano final: 'Game by game is where we're strong'
Cadena SER's question about a final on home turf gets a blunt 'game by game' reply
Simeone answers questions about the Champions League final in the Metropolitano press room
Asked how excited he is by the prospect of playing the Champions League final in his own stadium, Simeone says he understands the temptation but refuses to feed it: reality is the day-to-day, and that is where his team is strong.
At the press conference ahead of Atlético against Manchester United, a Cadena SER journalist asks Simeone about the Champions League final, which is being played at the Metropolitano this season. He wants to know how excited the coach is about it and what chance he gives his side of getting there.
The coach's reply is immediate. He says he understands why journalists want to dig into the subject and the "what if we reach the final?" question, but he brings the conversation back to reality: the day-to-day, game by game. Simeone asks people not to feed situations that, in his view, are easily created when you look that far ahead. He prefers to focus on the next match, because that, he insists, is where his team is strong.
He respects the opponent and expects a long game
Julián Alvarez and the missing goals. "Strikers always need goals, not just him. Beyond his finishing in front of goal, he's a team player who links up very well and has many more tools than just scoring. He did well on Saturday and hopefully he can keep growing to reach the level we all want to see him at."
Winning. "We know how difficult this competition is; this format forces you to pick up points, whether at home or away. We need points, like everyone who wants to go through." He expects a long game: "Choose the best possible line-up and have the calm to manage those who start in the best way. The game will be long and we have to manage our efforts to compete well."
A final at this stadium. "I understand your angle of digging into the fact that the Champions League final is being played at the Metropolitano, but the reality is the day-to-day and game by game. Let's not feed situations about what would happen if we get there and so on. Instead, we go game by game; that's where we're strong."