Hupu reported on May 5 that before the life-and-death battle in the Champions League semi-finals was about to come, Atletico Madrid president Cerezo showed the humor and confidence he has always had. He confirmed that Alvarez could participate in the game, and also smiled and said that the London fans setting off fireworks late at night was a good omen for Atletico Madrid's return from victory.
Tonight, local time, Atletico Madrid will usher in one of the most critical battles of the season. In the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals, Atletico Madrid drew 1-1 with Arsenal at home. Tonight, the team led by Simeone will fight against the odds in an away game in London to compete for a ticket to the final. Before the game, Atletico Madrid president Cerezo accepted an interview with the media before attending the official luncheon, and his speech was full of optimism.
In front of the camera, Cerezo took the lead in making fun of the cultural differences between the two places. The official luncheon in London was held at 12 noon, which made the president, who was accustomed to the rhythm of Spain, feel a little "uncomfortable". He said: "I don't feel hungry at the moment. However, here in London, if you don't eat at 12 o'clock, you have to wait until the next day. However, I am more 'hungry' for victory than eating. Next time Arsenal goes to Madrid, I will not start eating until 3 pm."
Just last night, there was an unharmonious scene outside the hotel where Atletico Madrid stayed. Some local fans chose to light fireworks late at night in an attempt to interfere with the rest of Atletico Madrid players. In response to this situation, Cerezo calmly declared that there were indeed some noises last night and the players were awakened by the sound of fireworks. However, he firmly believes that this is a good sign because it shows that the other party is feeling the pressure.
In response to rumors that the team had temporarily changed hotels, and some people speculated that Simeone's superstitions were the cause of this situation, Cerezo responded with humor. He said, if I tell you about my superstitious habits, then you will not be able to eat today. In fact, just to save some costs, we have to save some money for summer signings, isn't that right?
Regarding the injury of Alvarez (whose nickname is "Little Spider"), the core player that Atletico Madrid fans are most concerned about, Cerezo gave a reassuring statement. Although he suffered a slight injury in the first round, the chairman confirmed that he has no problem and said: "I saw that he was in good condition during the trip last night. He will definitely play. Don't worry.".
Even though the pressure is extremely high when playing away games, Cerezo emphasized that the team should remain calm. He said that pressure exists everywhere, but we must keep our heads clear. The 90 minutes of the game will determine who can reach the final. Atletico Madrid has long been accustomed to such big scenes, and I firmly believe that the result will be very satisfactory.
At the end of the interview, Cerezo stated resolutely and without hesitation: "In a game like this, if the situation cannot be opened up for a long time, then the game process will definitely be full of torment. However, we are full of confidence in our team, and I firmly believe that the victory of today's game must belong to us."