Antonio Hidalgo ranks Simeone among the world’s best coaches

“Cholo is one of the best coaches in the world”: Antonio Hidalgo used those words to praise Diego Pablo Simeone ahead of Deportivo’s visit to Atlético de Madrid. The Deportivo coach also highlighted the work Simeone has done at the helm of the rojiblanco club.

Hidalgo stressed the length of Simeone’s tenure and the team’s transformation: “To be in the same place for 14 or 15 years is an incredible achievement, especially at the highest level. Atlético de Madrid’s evolution from when he took over the team to today is very clear, although when you reach the top level you always want to aim for bigger objectives.” He ended his tribute by reiterating that, in his view, Cholo is among the world’s best coaches.

The Deportivo coach described the Metropolitano as “a big and beautiful setting”, while saying he was preparing for the match as normal despite the challenge of catching Simeone’s team out away from home. The day before the game, Atlético had held its final training session ahead of Saturday’s match. Simeone had begun trying out options, but could not call on the three players who had also missed the previous session: Johnny Cardoso, Cuti Romero and Koke. None of the three was expected to be available against Deportivo.

The side being tried was presented as a possibility, not a confirmed lineup. Kang-in could, in particular, replace Giuliano. Sorloth, Obed Vargas, Mendoza or Arnau Ortiz could also come on in the second half. Sorloth and Arnau Ortiz had worked on shooting, in an exercise in which Juan Musso was the goalkeeper. That work could give the pair playing time against Deportivo and allow some of their attacking teammates, including Giuliano Simeone, Jonathan David and Julián Alvarez, to rest.

Hidalgo also said he had spoken during the week with Uruguay international Josema Giménez about his former club. He praised Yeremay Hernández’s development, saying he saw him becoming harder to track and finding more solutions.