Diego Simeone was delighted to be back in the dugout for the first time this season as his team delivered their most convincing performance of the season against Sevilla.
The feisty Argentine boss was banished to the stands for the opening five league games of the campaign for two separate suspensions, and he also was unable to take a place on the sidelines for his team’s opening Champions League group loss at Olympiakos due to yet another ban.
But he returned to the bench on Saturday as Atleti swept The man in black: Diego Simeone. aside the challenge of Sevilla with a comprehensive 4-0 victory at the Vicente Calderon.
He said: “From the bench, you can feel that we are a powerful force. And I was happy with the atmosphere – you can tell there is a great connection between the fans and the players.”
From a coaches’ perspective, Simeone enjoyed a near-perfect night as his tactical decisions for the game all paid off, starting with the inclusion of striker Mario Mandzukic who delivered an influential display despite wearing a mask to protect a broken nose.
Another selection in the starting XI was teenage midfielder Saul, who rounded off a strong all-round performance with the game’s second goal to give his team some breathing room shortly before the interval.
Simeone is a huge admirer of the 19-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Rayo Vallecano. “Saul has an enormous future,” he said.
“Playing in Atletico’s central midfield is not easy at his age, but he is intense and has a lot of personality. With humility, patience and hard work he is destined to become an important midfielder for this club.”
