"The whistles from the stands? We have the best fans in Spain"

"We are fortunate to have the best fans in Spain. Numbers rule. From what they told me, many people came to the stadium. We have to be the ones who strive for the situation to improve," said El 'Cholo' Simeone at a press conference when asked about the whistles Koke received in Atletico's last Champions League clash against Bayer Leverkusen. 

He promised that Atletico will push themselves in the next match. "That's what we work for, so that there is happiness in seeing Atlético Madrid and that we are understanding what needs to be changed. So we can continue competing," he said.

Simeone knows perfectly what it feels like to be whistled. "I've been whistled at, too. In the Calderon, in some important game in my return, in the second stage as a player... And precisely because I wasn't doing a good game," he looked back. "People are spontaneous and transmit what they see, what they feel. If they're used to a situation, they always want to overcome it," she continued.

And he took the opportunity to send a message to the fans. "This belongs to everyone, not to Koke or the fans. The fans, the club, management, coaches ... When the foundations are strong everything goes better," he said.

"I hope that people will return to the stadium at a complicated time and that it will be filled and that happiness, joy, energy will be transmitted from the stands to the pitch and from the pitch to the stands. Being strong, united and knowing that the only thing that makes us better is to work and support each other," he said.

The Atlético coach thinks he knows what's happening to Koke. "When it comes to football, he occupies too many places, he has to focus on what he has to do. Sometimes he wants to do more than he has to do and he ends up wearing himself out. He is very good at what he does well and will continue to be because he is a great player," he defended.

He also spoke about Morata and Costa: "There will be moments of anxiety because they live from the goal, they need it. We work so that the whole team performs well, but not only the strikers. The responsibility is shared."

He referred in passing to the 75,000 euros sanction that Atletico has been charged with for "repeated disobedience to the authorities". The club responded with a firm statement with which Simeone fully agrees. "I join what was said by Atletico, let's go hand in hand," settled the issue.

Finally, he spoke about what he believes Atlético lacks. "We need to be more practical, not more creative. When you know what you're playing at, you're practical and you know what you're proposing, you're closer. I don't think that only creativity improves you. It's good, but practicality is better," he concluded.