Diego Martínez: “It’s one of those top-tier matches that should be a huge source of motivation for us.”

Martínez held an online press conference from the team’s hotel in Madrid. He emphasized, “Every point we earn can be decisive, regardless of the opponents and stadiums we play in. Let’s not forget where we come from and how tough this competition is.”

Here are some key points from his statements:

“We have two matches in four days, with travel and preparation time. It’s an extra load that we need to manage. We want to be in the best possible shape to win each game. In the Copa match, we were very focused and played very well at various moments. If the 0-2 score had come sooner, the game would have opened up more. I’m pleased with our attacking play, our ball movement, and our finishing.”

“Everything is always adaptable. The same starting eleven can have different nuances depending on the opponent or specific situations. I’m very happy because we’re gaining more options. There are players who, through their work, performance, and commitment, are earning the chance to contribute to the team.”

“We don’t know how to approach a match by just sitting back and defending our own box. That’s not in our nature. We need to be looking at the opponent’s goal. We have to play our best football, use our characteristics to be dangerous, and prevent them from showcasing their talent.”

“It’s a match against a top club, a team that has been in the European elite over the past decade. Atlético has excellent players and an outstanding coach. It’s a high-level game where we need to go in with tremendous motivation because it’s a very challenging test.”