Speaking ahead of Atlético Madrid’s UEFA Champions League game against PSV Eindhoven in The Netherlands on Tuesday night, coach Diego Simeone insisted that his players are ready to go after they suffered consecutive losses against Barcelona and Athletic in the last week.
Reflecting on the atmosphere in the camp, Simeone explained that “the players are used to playing so often that it’s inertia, the game is constantly changing.
“There are two ways (to react): doing things right and doing things wrong,” he continued. “If you do things wrong, you’re almost certain to lose, but (even) if you do things right, there’s no guarantee you’ll win.”
Diego Simeone on strength away from home
“Strength in starting games well is key, especially when you’re playing away from home. Tomorrow, we face a tough opponent who plays well, is very brave, has options everywhere, and has already shown what they’re capable of against Napoli and Liverpool.”
Diego Simeone on the opportunity to react
“We need to keep going in the same direction, we’re competing well. We competed well in Barcelona and Bilbao, we didn’t win, that’s football, we have to accept that we could have been better in some areas and focus on what’s coming up, against a tough, brave opponent, with a manager who gives his teams speed, possession and a lot of direct play.”
Diego Simeone on the last two games
“If I go by the results, they weren’t positive. If I go by the (fact we were playing away), I think we did some good things. We couldn’t win some because the opponent was stronger. To be in this position, after 14 years, we have to have won away from home. Let’s hope we can show the way on a day-to-day basis. We need patience, sometimes you win and other days you don’t.”
Diego Simeone on Marc Pubill
“He’s working very well. We’ve worked with him individually on what we imagined might happen, either as a centre-back or as a stopper. He responded well, with things to improve, but he’s only played two games in that position, with the second one being more difficult. He’s a lad who is keen to help the team wherever he’s needed. Hopefully he’ll continue to grow.”
Diego Simeone on the key to winning away
“It all comes down to that, to being decisive. I don’t see much else. We’ve played well, we took the lead against Betis and Getafe. We have to be strong away from home because the home team is usually better.”
Diego Pablo Simeone, head coach of Atletico de Madrid, talks with Jorge Resurreccion Koke of Atletico de Madrid during the LaLiga EA Sports football match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid CF at Estadio Riyadh Air Metropolitano in Madrid, Spain, on September 27, 2025. (Photo by Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto via Getty Images) NurPhoto via Getty Images
“We talk to Koke regularly, when he plays and when he doesn’t. He understands when it’s his turn to play and, when it’s not, he understands what I want from him, whether it’s 60 or 90 minutes. He’s a very important player for the team, as long as he understands what he has to give to the team at the right time.”
Diego Simeone on the importance of the game against PSV
“I don’t dwell on a single match. They are a brave opponent, away or at home. Knowing their manager from other teams, they play very attacking football, with a lot of possession and players who change positions. They are having a magnificent season and haven’t lost since September. There’s not much more to say.”
