Simeone: We need better balance and stability throughout 90 minutes

Ahead of Atletico Madrid's visit to Real Sociedad this weekend, coach Simeone acknowledged in his pre-match press conference that the team's defense needs improvement, emphasizing the need to maintain consistency across all 90 minutes.

Barrios' absence

He is a very important player for us, but we will find solutions and remain competitive as we did last season. The young players who get opportunities will give their all, and that's what matters to us.

Lee Kang-in is frequently substituted. What is his physical condition, or are there other tactical reasons?

We believe that when we substitute players who have given their all, it's because other players are in better condition for the remainder of the match. There's nothing special behind it. We hope he continues to develop and improve because we need him. Of course, it's ideal to perform well for the entire game and avoid being substituted.

What do you make of the external criticism that Giuliano shouldn't play?

I have nothing to say about that. Giuliano's performances and commitment will speak for themselves.

The team has struggled to keep clean sheets. How concerned are you?

There is room for improvement. The team does many things well, but we still need to progress. As part of the team's development, everyone must understand that defensive solidity is essential if we want to win matches. The Athletic Bilbao match was the only one where we failed to score, which demonstrates our attacking quality.

How do you approach tomorrow's match?

We don't focus on what other teams are doing; we concentrate on our own performance. We understand the importance of tomorrow's game. Our opponents are in good form and are very aggressive. We must control the game in a way that allows us to create threats.

Last week in Bilbao, we dominated the first half but lost control after the break. Against Liverpool, we defended well in the first half and limited their chances. After conceding in the second half, we had no proper offensive response aside from individual moments. We clearly need to maintain better balance and stability throughout 90 minutes if we are to get back on track.

Possession football

The characteristics of our players determine our style of play. The key is to move forward and bring the ball into dangerous areas, like the attacking moves you mentioned. Aimless possession only gives opponents opportunities to score or reorganize. These situations constantly arise in matches. We hope to score in every game like we did against Liverpool, but it's equally important to know when to be patient.

How is Sørloth?

He's eager to return. We spoke with him yesterday, and he's frustrated that he hasn't been able to help the team during this period. He knows we need him because he possesses qualities that others don't have. Now it's time to roll up our sleeves and get to work.

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