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Atletico Madrid's Diego Simeone: I have come with a lot of hope
The Argentine trainer is thrilled to be back at the Vicente Calderon and says that the team must work hard to overcome its current malaise and move up in the league table
Dec 27, 2011 2:38:00 AM
By Luis Mira
Diego Simeone - Atletico Madrid
New Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone says that he is hopeful of turning his side's fortunes around.
The 41-year-old was installed at the Vicente Calderon last week after the club parted company with Gregorio Manzano following a dismal start to the season.
Simeone, who played for Atletico across two different spells between 1994-1997 and 2003-2005, confessed his happiness to return to the capital-city club and noted that he is aware of the hard task that lies ahead.
"I have come with a lot of hope," he told reporters upon landing in Madrid. "We need to be calm. We have come here to work.
"We will do what we always did when we were playing, which is to go match-by-match.
"There is always hope, calmness and joy, especially joy to return to Atletico. When I left the club, there was one goal, but now we have a different one. We are going to have to work, which is what is most important."
Atletico currently lies in 10th position in the Liga standings, and will travel to Malaga on Jan. 7 in its first match of 2012.
Los Rojiblancos are through to the Europa League round of 32, where they will tackle Lazio, but have bowed out of the Copa del Rey after losing to Albacete.
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The 41-year-old was installed at the Vicente Calderon last week after the club parted company with Gregorio Manzano following a dismal start to the season.
Simeone, who played for Atletico across two different spells between 1994-1997 and 2003-2005, confessed his happiness to return to the capital-city club and noted that he is aware of the hard task that lies ahead.
"I have come with a lot of hope," he told reporters upon landing in Madrid. "We need to be calm. We have come here to work.
"We will do what we always did when we were playing, which is to go match-by-match.
"There is always hope, calmness and joy, especially joy to return to Atletico. When I left the club, there was one goal, but now we have a different one. We are going to have to work, which is what is most important."
Atletico currently lies in 10th position in the Liga standings, and will travel to Malaga on Jan. 7 in its first match of 2012.
Los Rojiblancos are through to the Europa League round of 32, where they will tackle Lazio, but have bowed out of the Copa del Rey after losing to Albacete.
Follow Goal.com on
to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!
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