Adobe Flash Player Required.
Download the latest version here.

Caminero hails 'special' Simeone

3 February 2012-PA Sport

Infuence ... Atletico coach Diego Simeone (Getty Images)

Atletico Madrid sporting director Jose Luis Caminero has hailed the confidence instilled in the team by new coach Diego Simeone.

The Argentine has steered Atletico to three straight wins and a fourth, over third-placed Valencia on Monday (AEDT), will leave the Rojiblancos just four points behind it.

Caminero has witnessed a change in attitude since the return of Simeone to the Vicente Calderon stadium and is happy to claim at least a portion of the credit for the appointment.

He told sports daily newspaper AS: "If we win we are all happy - the players, the fans, the media. Everyone is very excited now. The results change everything. El Cholo (Simeone) has already been a champion in Argentina (with Estudiantes) and his approach to football matches ours.

"He has already said that if a player is at Atletico, it is because they cannot be a bad player and I think the same way. El Cholo has 'Rojiblanco' spirit."

Asked if it was true he had suggested bringing in Simeone, Caminero added: "It is. I thought Diego was a person who could lead a change in the team.

"He has a different way of understanding the game and is a coach who will give much confidence to each player. I trust his work ethic."

Atletico's city rival Real Madrid makes the short trip to the suburbs to face Getafe hoping to maintain its seven-point lead over Barcelona, which hosts Real Sociedad.

Real Madrid midfielder Esteban Granero, a former Getafe player, is confident coach Jose Mourinho will not allow any complacency to creep in to the leaders' play.

"The cushion we have in La Liga will not be a reason for us to relax," he told realmadrid.com.

"We know we still have to play practically the entirety of the second half of the season and many of our games will be like finals. The one in Getafe will be the first and we cannot afford to drop points anywhere. You win the title by winning every game.

"Mourinho connects with his players in a special way. He manages to have a tight bond with his players with great ease thanks to his character, demeanour and way of treating us. I don't know how he does it, but he always manages to keep us in top form, focused and in full support of him so that we all row in the same direction."

Barca midfielder Thiago Alcantara has backed his teammates to reel in Real and told a press conference: "This team has shown many things during the last few seasons, and it's clear that we can catch up.

"But we have to consider the challenges gradually and give importance to every game."

Primera Liga

Lopez moves to Sevilla

Sevilla has completed the signing of goalkeeper Diego Lopez from relegated Villarreal, the Primera Division club announced.

0 Comments

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

    ADVERTISEMENT
    Les Murray: The World Game (Book)

    Les Murray: The World Game (Book)

    The story of football - from the distinctive and passionate champion of Australian football.

    The SBS Complete Book of Football (Book)

    The SBS Complete Book of Football (Book)

    All the excitement & passion of world football - completely revised & updated for 2011.

    Craig Foster: Fozz on Football (Book)

    Craig Foster: Fozz on Football (Book)

    A fascinating book from respected football commentator, broadcaster and ex-Socceroo Craig Foster.

    • '09 #1 Sports Soccer Website, Hitwise
    • '09 #1 Television Program, Hitwise
    • '08 #1 Sports Soccer Website, Hitwise