Simeone speaks about Sevilla, Carrasco, Torres

CAIRO – 25 February 2018: Atletico Madrid coach Diego Pablo Simeone appeared at a press conference for the pre-visit of Atletico Madrid to Sevilla, which will be held on Sunday. Sevilla is a rival that previously eliminated Atletico in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey.

In his previous visit to Sevilla, Simeone had the need to win to qualify to the semi-final.

“It is clear that it is a different game, because in Copa we needed to go for goals. Now we have the need to go for points. Sevilla comes from doing a very good job. They have verticality, speed; they have dominion power in the middle. Vázquez gave him transition in the middle, and the sides have been well protected with Navas and Escudero. The numbers speak clearly of how well they are doing,” Simeone stated.

Atletico Madrid is placed second in the table with 55 points, 7 points behind the leader, FC Barcelona, while Sevilla is placed fifth with 46 points.

Simeone moved to another serious topic concerning his main players, Yannick Carrasco and Fernando Torres. They are reportedly linked to a possible move to China this month.

“I cannot say much about Carrasco, because he is negotiating his situation… We all train well and when the market ends, we will value what might happen,” he said.

Fernando Torres has only scored five goals in 25 appearances this season.

The transfer market in China closes on February 28, which may cause problems for the European clubs.

Simeone clarified, “I am worried, because with all the money that goes around, some issues are beyond the choice of the players. For the coaches, it is not comfortable, because we think what can happen to the club. It would be better to put a date for everyone, so that clubs, coaches and players could be more calm.”