Atletico Madrid's Simeone emotional after completing 700 matches in charge
Atletico Madrid's manager, Diego Simeone, expressed deep emotion while reflecting on his affection for the LaLiga club during his 700th match, in which his team staged a comeback to secure a 2-1 victory against Deportivo Alaves at home on Saturday.
Deportivo Alaves initially took the lead with a penalty, but Antoine Griezmann equalized in the 76th minute with a penalty of his own. Alexander Sorloth, who came on as a substitute in the second half, netted the winning goal in the 86th minute, propelling Atletico to second place in the standings.
"I focus on the present; we are enjoying a good moment, and the players are demonstrating great responsibility," Simeone stated to DAZN following Atletico's fifth consecutive victory across all competitions.
"I feel calm and at peace; I am in a place that I truly love," he continued, his voice trembling as he concluded his remarks and handed over the microphone before departing.
As the match appeared to be heading for a draw, Sorloth delivered a powerful strike, prompting Simeone to sprint along the sideline to celebrate with the Norwegian forward.
Although Simeone received a yellow card for his exuberance, he did not express any dissatisfaction, noting that he had discussed with Sorloth the previous night how he could influence the game.
"We had a clear conversation about our expectations and his significance to the team. Fortunately, luck was on our side, aided by Rodrigo De Paul's excellent vision, resulting in a goal," Simeone remarked.
"In a brief period, he provided us with exceptional quality, which is what truly matters."
Sorloth was one of two players substituted at halftime, alongside Giuliano Simeone, whose performance in the second half earned him the man-of-the-match accolade.
"The first half commenced with a penalty that hindered our ability to advance in the match. The opposing team scored and subsequently adopted a defensive posture, resulting in reduced space for us," Simeone remarked.
"The team appeared lackluster initially. However, in the second half, we gained momentum. The substitutes made a significant impact, providing us with speed in the final phase and strength in the penalty area... Following that, we were awarded a penalty, and Sorloth found the back of the net.
"Last year, we were comfortably leading 2-0, but they managed to score, making the final result close. This time, they struck early. In the second half, we generated more opportunities and ultimately secured a vital victory."
SportsLigue