Simeone spoke to the media at the club’s Majadahonda training ground on Saturday, on the eve of a Metropolitano meeting with José Mourinho’s Real Madrid, covering Julián Álvarez, Álex Grimaldo and Ademola Lookman among other topics.
He dismissed the idea that recent form would shape the game.
“We are used to the previous match not being related to the city derby. I don’t understand that our previous matches or theirs have anything to do with the match.”
On Álvarez, Simeone said the forward would be involved, with the only question being how.
“He is going to be with us. Afterwards we will decide whether he starts from the beginning or comes on during the match.”
He identified transitions as the key difference between the teams.
“The characteristics of the two teams, they have a more powerful transition than ours. On any loss of the ball, they look for that option with Mbappé and Vinicius. On our side, try not to have losses, which is what they have shown they do best.”
Simeone also spoke highly of Mourinho.
“Putting myself so many years back... I have no answers for your question. I have a lot of admiration for Mourinho. He knows the esteem I have for him.”
He gave an update on Grimaldo’s adaptation to the side.
“It’s logical that his adaptation is gradual. Already in the Real Sociedad game he took responsibility for taking the penalty, then an assist. The very good game the other day... We need to help him in the defensive phase and for him to raise all that talent he has.”
Asked what advice he would give newcomers, Simeone kept it simple.
“I’m not one to give advice. Yes, to pass on experiences. The pressure is normal, the excitement that a match like tomorrow’s at the Metropolitano with our people generates. Calm, above all calm. There is a word, security. If you have security in what you do, it can go badly or well, but it is the path.”
He is also counting on Lookman, despite a slow start to the season for Atletico Madrid.
“He is a player with a profile we don’t have much of. He is the most unbalancing in the one-on-one at the edge of the area. We need him whether he plays 60, 70 or whatever. He has done us a lot of good since he arrived and although his start to the season is not what he would want, we need him.”