Simeone revels in Atletico Madrid victory as Champions League hopes are boosted
Sacha Pisani
June 21, 2020 06:33 MYT
June 21, 2020 06:33 MYT
Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone hailed his team's late win over Real Valladolid as they boosted their chances of finishing in LaLiga's top four.
Vitolo came off the bench and headed home the 81st-minute winner for Atletico in a 1-0 victory at home to Valladolid on Saturday.
Atletico moved back up to third in the standings – level on points with Sevilla through 30 games and four clear of Getafe – in the race for Champions League qualification.
"It's always important to take something from a game and even better when you win," Simeone said.
? ? ? ? ? ? #AtletiRealValladolid #AúpaAtleti pic.twitter.com/8ORk3sG01a — Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) June 20, 2020
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"There were things to improve, but we've had three months without a normal preparation and then you're playing every three days.
"There's a need to adapt and reinvent yourself, given the circumstances. This was a very important win.
"We had chances in the first half and couldn't score, then in the second half it was tough against a very organised side.
"We could have won or lost, but we achieved a great result."
Club legends, members, supporters who passed away during this terrible pandemic... This tribute and tonight's win are for you. Rest in peace pic.twitter.com/XHhHO6KQri — Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) June 20, 2020
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Atletico played behind closed doors at the Wanda Metropolitano due to the coronavirus pandemic and Simeone added: "The fans weren't there in the flesh, but they were there in spirit.
"The minute of silence before the match and the music in the empty stadium were pure emotion. We lost many people."
[] Goalscorer @VitoloMachin talks about netting the winner, the absence of the fans and the importance of these three points #AtletiRealValladolid #AúpaAtleti pic.twitter.com/YmK8qYUs5F — Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) June 21, 2020
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Vitolo, whose Atletico eliminated titleholders Liverpool en route to the Champions League quarter-finals this season, said: "The club's goal is to quality for the Champions League next season.
"There are many teams that trying and it will be decided in the last matches. Hopefully we can enter and give the fans a joy."