Diego Simeone believes Atletico Madrid have work to do to find the best version of themselves after losing 2-1 against Liverpool on the opening matchday of the Champions League.
Despite going ahead after a wonderful play from Julian Alvarez led to the Argentine assisting Marcos Llorente, Liverpool proved unstoppable. Dominik Szoboszlai levelled the score in the 40th minute, and Alexis Mac Allister had then put the hosts into the lead by the 50th minute.
This defeat comes days after the Rojiblancos gave up three unanswered goals in the second half against Athletic Club in a 3-0 loss, so the defensive discipline of the team needs some finetuning.
“I think it’s normal not to perform at the same level in the second half, that would mean we’re not physically up to scratch. In the first half we played well. In the second half, we didn’t, and then you start making mistakes or errors in the second half, and all the effort you put in becomes a footnote.
Marcos Llorente celebrates scoring Atletico’s first goal against Liverpool. (Photo by Jan Kruger – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
“It happened in Bilbao. It’s happened here, at Anfield. But to be honest, what matters, what counts, are the results. The details are important too. We’re conceding a lot of goals, of course. Three in Bilbao, one in Seville, two tonight, and that’s down to the team.
“We have to work on it. We have to work very hard. I’ve said we’re in a building phase. People don’t like to hear that, but we’re building and we still have several things to sort out.
“I don’t know if we had many chances in the second half, but I have no doubt that the little details in football are what determine whether you’re at the top, in the middle of the table or down there, and we needed, or need, to adjust certain things, because many of the goals we conceded are our fault.
Alexis Mac Allister celebrates scoring Liverpool’s second goal against Atletico Madrid. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)
“I think the team played the sort of match they needed to play. We need to start understanding and interpreting certain moments in the match where we need to keep playing in a certain way or change it slightly. We didn’t do that today. I think that’s why we ended up conceding the goals we did, but I think the team gave it their all. It’s a really important match.
“I think the team wants to improve, and I think we have to accept those small details that are making everything we’ve done seem pointless, because a defeat completely erases any positive aspects you might take from the match.”
