Araujo Showed Strength by Talking About His Struggles, and This is Rashford’s Stance
Flick: Araujo Showed Strength by Talking About His Struggles, and This is Rashford’s Stance
Flick said about Atletico Madrid: “We have faced some problems, Rashford is not ready, he has a bruise, it’s not good news, but I believe in my team. The situation is not easy, we are playing against a great team. I watched the cup match against Betis and it was amazing, Simeone is doing a great job at Atletico, I appreciate what I saw a lot, and it will be a tough match tomorrow.”
Regarding Raphinha, he said: “Step by step, we have to take care of him, he is a player who gives everything with high intensity. If he feels something, we have to be cautious, that’s the situation, I’m not happy because we need him, just as we need Pedri, Gavi, Andreas, or Marcus.”
He continued: “He feels sensations in his muscles and we must take care of his body, we have to support and monitor him.”
About the Metropolitano Stadium pitch, he said: “This is not good, because we have to take care of the pitches, in Spain, usually the conditions are great, I hope it will be in good condition tomorrow.”
Regarding playing away in the first leg, he said: “These two matches will determine who qualifies for the final, that is the goal of both teams. Last season it was difficult, we played first at home, it’s two matches, 180 minutes, and we are ready to reach the final.”
About Atletico’s difficulties, he said: “I am only focusing on this match, I don’t like talking about Real Madrid, for you it’s good, but for me, it doesn’t matter. If we play against them, I will focus on them. Atletico deserves respect, it’s a great team, playing against this type of opponent at this level is great.”
About the alternatives amid absences, he said: “I don’t have a clear idea yet, we will see tomorrow.”
Regarding qualifying for the semi-finals and whether it was less effort, he replied: “Ask Real Madrid.”
He added about respecting opponents: “That was a good answer, second division teams should also be respected. Last season we played in Barbastro then against Betis and Valencia and the results were better than this year, in Albacete and Santander it was the same, those teams should be respected, this is the cup and they have shown quality, they were able to beat first division teams. For me, that debate makes no sense, it’s just a waste of energy and I don’t like it.”
About Ronald Araujo, he said: “We know Ronald’s situation, he spoke frankly and we supported him as much as we could. To open up in this way means you are strong, in football, mentality is very important and focusing on winning. One day I will talk about everything, when he says he has been in this state for a year and a half, it’s important to take care of the players, you have to think about that, as a coach you have to take responsibility for all the players, you have to think beyond your own interest.”
About Kounde, he said: “Kounde is a fighter, always focused, we are human, maybe you don’t have the best day, but he always fights, even when he doesn’t start well, I appreciate what he does, he has a high mentality, he will show that tomorrow, it will be a tough match for everyone, I like what I see from Atletico, they have a clear philosophy.”
About Lamine Yamal: “I am very happy with everything I see from him, on the field he is always able to decide matches in the right direction, he is a great player and has everything we love in football, dribbling, playing one-on-one, it’s fun to watch him, I am very happy with what I see, in training he always wants to improve and that’s a good thing, he has to improve and he can improve a lot in the coming years.”
