2023-09-22 20:48:46
Paulo Futre (28-2-1966, Montijo –Portugal–) is one of Atlético’s myths and analyzes the derby at the Cívitas Metropolitano with LA RAZÓN. The Portuguese Atlético legend also delves into the controversy that has surrounded Joao Félix’s loan to Barcelona.
Can the goal in the 95th minute by the Lazio goalkeeper only happen to Atlético?
It was a hard moment and I was sad. But then I said… Damn, this is a point! A point! And a point in the Champions League away from home is always very positive. Atlético had a fantastic second half and could have finished the game much earlier. Soccer is like that and then the rival goalkeeper scores on you. I repeat, a point out is a very, very good thing. This is Champions.
Does that hurt mentally for the derby?
It is a set piece and it can happen. How many times has something like that happened already? Millions… But I think that today the Atlético players no longer even remember and have their minds on the derby. It’s better that it was a collective mistake because if it’s an individual mistake then you’ll be more upset.
Why is the team having so many injuries?
Bad luck is crazy, crazy. We are in September and see all the injuries… but you can beat Madrid because we are still a great team with great players.
Bellingham is another great player, what do you think?
We all know that he is a great player, a “crack” who is adapting very well. We all knew what he was coming because in Germany he did great.
Barrios is also very young and points out ways…
Koke, Saúl, Barrios… it’s a great midfield. I really like Barrios because he is a child, but everything he is doing has a lot of merit and I am very happy for him. It’s a shame he’s injured.
Simeone’s renewal…
I want him to be our Alex Ferguson. Ferguson was there for 27 consecutive years. Simeone still has about 15 years left for that, but what can I tell you about him… I hope he stays 15 more years.
Last season he was criticized a lot…
If Atlético loses, Simeone is criticized for two days, but on the third day he is no longer the coach, but the myth. I don’t know any colchonero who says that Simeone has to leave because he is a myth and the colchonero myth is never fired and has to leave for himself when he considers it. I explain? Atlético is different from all clubs because of things like that. Cholo will be there until he wants. How many times has he been criticized for losing a game? Blah, blah, blah… a tremendous mess, but the next home game people are standing applauding and that doesn’t happen anywhere. Since January we have been playing great football with a great, champion team. The second round that Atlético did was an honorable one.
Do you see yourself as a coach?
Not training, but I was always connected because I like football and I talk about football.
How do you rate Joao Félix?
He is my compatriot, I adore Joao, but anything he says will be controversial and I am not prepared. I have always been very direct, I have shown my face when I played, when I was sports director, also on TV… but this situation is very complicated for me because I adore Joao and Cholo and I am Portuguese and a colchonero and I have remained silent until now . What has happened between them has already happened thousands of times between a coach and a “crack.” They are problems that are part of football. What is not normal is that several coaches considered the best in the world did not want him on loan or practically for free. You have to ask these phenomenal coaches what they think of him now at Barça when he is succeeding with a salary of 400,000 euros net, about 800,000 gross.
#Cholo #Simeone #continue #Atlético