Diego Simeone, head coach of Atlético de Madrid, insisted this Sunday, after the victory against Getafe that positions his team second with leader-like numbers, on the “match by match” mantra, even if it is “repetitive and boring,” because “without that focus, there’s no light.” This came when he was asked whether the red-and-white side is a contender to win LaLiga.

“I’m repetitive, boring. It’s been thirteen years. I’m not going to change. Match by match, because that’s the absolute reality of Atlético de Madrid. If we stray from that focus, there’s no light,” the coach warned during the press conference at the Metropolitano.

Atlético’s Strength Lies in Collective Commitment

Before the match, Simeone shared a special message with his players:
“I spoke with the team during the pre-match talk, recognizing and appreciating the work being done by the guys who weren’t on the starting lineup.”

He highlighted the impact of substitutes like Nahuel Molina, Ángel Correa, and Alexander Sorloth for stepping in and making a difference:
“In recent matches, we’ve repeated the lineup many times, but we have key players competing extraordinarily well. Our strength is in having Marcos Llorente and Giuliano Simeone come off, and Molina, Correa, and Sorloth step in. That makes us strong.”

Simeone emphasized the importance of team commitment:
“If we want to compete at the level we aim for, everyone needs to be involved. Today, César Azpilicueta played less, Conor Gallagher has been doing very well and didn’t play, but I’m not concerned. That full commitment is our greatest strength.”

Sorloth Seals the Win as Simeone Praises Defensive Work

The winning goal came courtesy of Alexander Sorloth, who came off the bench to secure the match:
“We know that Sorloth came here to give us exactly what we need, and he’s doing it in the best way. In previous matches, he had important chances to score, but today he scored a great goal, possibly the toughest one. Molina’s cross was extraordinary, and the header was perfect,” said the Argentine.

Simeone also defended the value of the 1-0 scoreline:
“I always say that the best result for a team is 1-0 because it shows you worked defensively and were efficient in attack. If you end up winning 4-3, there are things to review defensively. Of course, I’d like to win by a wider margin, like all fans and you journalists, but 1-0 has tremendous value.”

Leadership Without Favoritism

For Simeone, his leadership style is clear and free of favoritism:
“I’m representing what I feel. The players know I have no commitment to anyone. It’s reflected in Koke, who is crucial in our journey, and if we give him 20 minutes, he comes in and delivers for those 20 minutes. That moves me.”

With this result, Atlético de Madrid continues to pick up key points and remains alive in the title race, proving that while the “match by match” approach may seem boring, it remains highly effective under El Cholo Simeone.