Simeone satisfied with a draw in his first match
January 9th, 2012 - 12:28 am ICT by IANSMadrid, Jan 8 (IANS) New Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone said he was satisfied with a 0-0 result against Malaga in his debut match.Former Atletico midfielder Simeone was named Gregorio Manzano’s replacement before Christmas, Xinhua reported.
“It looks as if we were a side with character and we created some clear chances. We didn’t have a lot of the ball, but we were solid in defence and looked to play on the break. We played better in the second half,” said Simeone.
The coach was delighted to be able to return to the club where he spent two separate spells as a player.
“It was a great experience, but the thing is that you don’ t really enjoy it at the time because you are concentrating on the game. It was a tough match and the side worked hard.”
“I liked the solidarity and unity we showed, because you build a team from that. We had to sit deep in the opening 20 minutes, but in the second half we played as we wanted to play and we could have scored. Our work is going to improve bit by bit, but it is already beginning to show its fruits,” assured the coach.
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- Former Atletico hero Diego Simeone is their new coach - Dec 24, 2011
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- Mallorca ahead of Sevilla in battle for fourth place - Feb 08, 2010
- Barca face test away to in-form Atletico - Feb 26, 2012
- Real Madrid beat Malaga 3-2 in Copa del Rey - Jan 04, 2012
- Three Spanish clubs eye Europa League semis - Apr 04, 2012
- Villarreal sack coach Garrido after Cup humiliation - Dec 22, 2011
- Three Spanish sides in Europa League action - Mar 28, 2012
- Liga's penultimate round about survival and qualifying - May 04, 2012
- Atletico Madrid beat Hannover at Europa quarters - Mar 30, 2012
- Europa League: Atletico Madrid qualifies for knock-out stages - Dec 16, 2011
- Madrid's 'complete performance' in Malaga delights Mourinho - Oct 23, 2011
Tags: atletico madrid, bit by bit, christmas, coach, debut, diego simeone, fruits, game, gregorio manzano, malaga, match, second half, solidarity, spells, unity, xinhua