The Atlético coach backed down on his continuity, assumed responsibility for the Cup elimination and offered his support to his players prior to the clash against Athletic. SOCCER CLUBATLETICODEMADRID THE LEAGUE m Clean slate. Atlético de Madrid receives a visit this Saturday to Athletic Club de Bilbao and coach Diego Pablo Simeone wants to turn the page on the bitter pill that meant the unexpected and lackluster elimination from the Copa del Rey at the hands of the modest UE Cornellà. The Argentine strategist made mea culpa and gave the squad a huge boost. “We understand that the rivals were superior, we brought what we considered adequate, but we couldn't play the game we expected. The responsibility is mine, it is a competition in which if you make a mistake you lose and we have not been able to play the game we wanted and they have been superior, with a lot of respect, humility and work,” he expressed.



Regarding the phrase in which he questioned his continuity, the cholo explained that it is in line with his philosophy of going game by game. The strategist did not shy away from responsibility, on the contrary, he stood up for his team and took the blame, “…I am very happy Brazil Mobile Number List here, we are very strong, we come from a year of transition in which we are being very strong and balanced. With the defeat, we first look at ourselves as a coaching staff and I as a coach, when there are players who do not have as much shooting and minutes played, I feel responsible because when it is their turn to play they have not been able to respond…. "Nobody likes to lose and we surely need to chew on this defeat, but I have a good, strong team that is working very well and that the other day was not able to play the game I expected and to a large extent the responsibility is mine," he said.



Simeone said that Joao Félix and José María Giménez, who came out with ankle discomfort in the fateful Cup match, will be evaluated until hours before this Saturday's game to find out if they can play or not. Atlético is the leader of LaLiga with 38 points, two more than Real Madrid, which visits CA Osasuna this Saturday, weather permitting. Javier Portillo, former soccer player. Despite his scoring ability, and even making his debut with a goal in the 2002 Champions League, to achieve a draw against Panathinaikós, he was unable to gain a permanent place in the squad. In 2004 he was loaned to Fiorentina, he returned in 2005, but his performance did not convince the club and he was loaned to the Belgian League.