Cholo Simeone's Response When Asked About Real Madrid: 'let Me...'

Real Madrid Lost All Three Points in Their Visit to Benito Villamarín Stadium. The match against Real Betis, a key encounter in the fight for the LaLiga leadership,  went poorly for Carlo Ancelotti's pupils. The home players managed to come back from the 0-1 scored by Brahim Díaz in the first half, leaving a terrible taste just before another crucial match in the current season.

Because the next competitive commitment ahead for the white team is the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Atlético de Madrid, at Santiago Bernabéu. This duel in the top national competition pits the merengue team against a team that would arrive, unless FC Barcelona wins this round, as the leader of the top national competition.

The colchonero victory against Athletic Club de Bilbao, thanks to Julián Álvarez's solitary goal, has prompted a striking response from Diego Pablo Simeone in the subsequent press conference. After defeating the footballers coached by Ernesto Valverde, the Argentine coach is clear that he must maintain his 'match by match' philosophy.

Asked about Real Madrid and the upcoming matches against the white team in these two weeks, the rojiblanco coach prefers to focus on the present. "I'll tell you what comes to me at this moment, let me enjoy this match", says 'Cholo' Simeone. "What time is it, a quarter to twelve? A quarter to twelve, but it's late already, we're grown-ups", the South American coach defends himself.

No Doubts

Diego Pablo Simeone seems to refuse to talk about Real Madrid until the press conference before the Champions League clash against the team coached by Carlo Ancelotti. "Let me enjoy this moment until tomorrow and tomorrow call me on the phone and I'll tell you...", precisely pointing to that important competitive moment of the week that is about to start.

"If we see each other on Monday, we'll see each other in two days, okay", concludes Diego Pablo Simeone with a broad smile before leaving the press room. The opinion of Atlético de Madrid's coach is very clear in that sense: he wants to enjoy the LaLiga leadership, brought about by his victory and Real Madrid's defeat.

At least until FC Barcelona plays their corresponding match this round. The players coached by Hansi Flick host Real Sociedad at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium, a demanding match where many things are at stake. Not only is the order at the top of the league standings at play, because  the txuri-urdin entity is still looking to access European spots for the next season.

A victory for Real Sociedad in the Ciudad Condal, even a draw, would completely change the plans of the three teams now involved in the fight for the LaLiga leadership. It would also offer a chance for Real Madrid to rejoin those dynamics... although it would do so after hosting Atlético de Madrid for the Champions League at Santiago Bernabéu.