What was it like adapting to Diego Simeone’s style of play when you first joined the club?
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It was a little different to what I was used to at Real Sociedad – more defensive work in a tactical sense. I had to learn, to look at my fellow players and listen. Within a couple of months, I was part of the starting XI.
It’s a style of play that I like and that I try to teach to the new players. It’s what has made us successful and we wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.
It’s a style that also requires a lot of work and sacrifices for attackers – what’s it like to be a striker in this system?
You learn to enjoy it, and then you enjoy recovering the ball, going into tackles and winning 50-50s. It’s what gives you confidence when you have the ball.
You’ve explained that you’ve become a more complete player over the past few years – did this help you to commit to Atlético?
I see myself as a key part of this project at the moment and that helped me decide. That and, of course, the support of the gaffer, the club, and my fellow players. I know that I play a key role here and I’ll give everything to help this club go as far as it possibly can.
Do you think winning the 2017/18 Europa League can help the players to go far in this season’s Champions League?
We have players that have already played in Champions League, Europa League and World Cup finals. We’re already gaining in confidence in important games and moments and I think it’s at those times that we really raise our game and that helps us play better.
We have new faces in the team, but I think that the fundamental base remains the same and that is what will help us to go far.
