Demirovic opens up about his affection for Atlético ahead of their meeting

“I like expressing my emotions on the pitch, so I have a special affection for Atlético,” Ermedi Demirovic said. The Stuttgart forward also acknowledged that his team knew about Atlético de Madrid’s defensive strength, while insisting it would try to get past it. His remarks give the upcoming meeting a personal dimension without taking focus away from the challenge on the pitch.

Demirovic said that his connection with the club went back to childhood, when he watched many Atlético matches, including in the Champions League. He praised the club’s return to the highest level of European football and described his opponents as a powerful side. He expects the stadium to be buzzing for the match. Stuttgart will feel that atmosphere too, he said, particularly after its last game in Hamburg.

The forward’s admiration is rooted mainly in how he views Atlético’s defence. He said he did not know the exact statistics, but considered the club one of Europe’s best in that area, if not the best. He added that its defensive solidity had been evident across matches and over many years, and that defending had become part of the team’s mindset. “They have a very strong defence, but we are also aware of our qualities in front of goal,” he said, promising that Stuttgart would do everything it could to meet the challenge.

His reference to Hamburg also helps explain the timing of his comments. Demirovic spoke about his team’s poor run and said he was especially demanding of himself. After a difficult game, he reviews what he can improve and discusses it with those around him. He believes defeats can even provide energy. Stuttgart, he said, would approach the match against Atlético with plenty of motivation and the aim of doing better than it did in Hamburg.

The forward can also draw on his start to the European campaign: Mundo Deportivo reports that he scored four goals in the first two Champions League matchdays, including three against Viking Stavanger. The outlet describes him as Stuttgart’s leading scorer in the competition. In the same interview, Demirovic said he had watched the hat-trick several times because it motivates him and gives him a boost. Mundo Deportivo reports that he also referred to a record already achieved, while making clear that he did not want to dwell on it: after only two matches out of at least six, he would have at least four more opportunities to improve his tally. That prospect adds another dimension to his current form, even as his attention remains on the meeting with Atlético.