Simeone: 'Young players must always be ready – no excuses'

In his press conference, Simeone revealed he had met with the younger players to tell them to be ready because their chance would come. In Cornellà, Dani Martínez and Rodrigo Mendoza got on the pitch, and the coach praised the latter's impact off the bench.

Asked about Dani Martínez and the left-back position, Diego Pablo Simeone revealed a recent conversation with the youngest players in the squad, those who are not getting as many minutes during this period.

According to the Argentine, he told them they had to understand where they are and, above all, be ready because their turn to play would come, without knowing that Dani Martínez and Rodrigo Mendoza would take the field in this very match. The message was blunt: to be where they are, there is no excuse for not having had games, not having found their moment in matches or needing more rhythm. If you are called on to play, you have to play, and that is what the fitness coaches and the coaching staff work on in training.

Simeone added that Rodrigo Mendoza did well when he came on. He admitted that he first considered another option, Robin Le Normand, but ultimately opted for the midfielder in search of more control of the ball, and believes the change delivered that. He finished by saying he was pleased for the youngsters, because the team needs them and will need every one of them.