Simeone: We do not care about arbitration, and we focus on the match only

Diego Simeone, coach of Atletico Madrid, spoke at a press conference before facing Real Madrid on Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, in the Spanish League competitions, and the Argentine coach stressed the importance of focusing on his team's performance instead of preoccupation with arbitration or controversy around the match.

Simeone commented on the controversy over Soto Grado, who will manage the meeting, saying: "I do not think about performing the referee, but focus on how we appear in the match, we have to prepare to face a strong opponent who has distinguished players at the individual level."

On the controversy over the pressures on the referees, the Argentine coach said: "We are only thinking about the match that we will play, and how to exploit Real Madrid weaknesses, they have great names and enormous capabilities, but we will try to present a match that suits our style."

Simeone praised the midfielder de Paul, stressing his great role in the team: "He has reached a stage in which he presented the same performance with the team in the World Cup, has become more continuous, and this gives us additional strength, we need his personality and see him on the middle of the field."

As for striker Alex Sortols, he said: "His numbers speak for herself, but he was recently injured, we need it, because he adds different options in the attack, he will be ready to participate when we need it."

"He is a very important player for us, who has the ability to play in more than one position, whether as a playmaker or on the parties, he will definitely have a basic role in the match."

He also commented on the performance of Samuel Lino, noting that he is in his opponent with Connor: “When he is at his level, he offers great performance, score goals and participates effectively in the attack, but he competes with Connor, who provides a greater defensive balance, we will decide who will start the meeting based on the needs team".

When asked about the controversial Real Madrid statement, the Argentine coach replied: "I only focus on the match, you need answers to such matters, but I do not care about them."

He also pointed to the club's position on social media, saying: "I will watch TV for relaxation, just as Ancelotti does."

As for the frequent talk that everyone against Real Madrid, Simeone replied briefly: "You must ask the people who repeat this."