LaLiga pitchside returns for 2022-23!
A new format this season, forced upon me by LaLiga dropping pitchside interviews from the highlights on their YouTube channel. Luckily, they do seem to still be findable on Twitter so I’ll be choosing one game per weekend (still haven’t decided how I’ll pick it) and will post the English translations right here.
First up, the Madrid ‘derby’ of sorts between Getafe and Atlético Madrid, with Getafe full-back Juan Iglesias, Atleti goalscorer Álvaro Morata and manager Diego Simeone pulled up in front of the mic after Los Colchoneros 3-0 victory at El Coliseum.
All interviews were originally broadcast in Spanish on Movistar Plus+ and clips were tweeted by the Fútbol en Movistar Plus+ Twitter account.
Getafe full-back Juan Iglesias:
A crucial second goal
“I think the team played well, we put in a solid performance. We were good on the ball, we pressed well. We were well in the game until the second goal but when they scored the third, things got a bit tough. But it’s the first game, we’ll put it behind us and now we need to think about the next one against Girona next Monday.”
Clinical Atleti
“We played well, we started strongly. We were really up for it today, especially starting off at home in front of our supporters. But in the end, they were more clinical and that’s what gets you results in football. As I said, now we need to focus on Girona next Monday.”
Atleti a complete team
“They defend really well, they’ve got good players that can not only defend but also play on the counterattack and keep the ball. They’re a very complete team. I think we started well but they were more clinical and took the three points.”
Álvaro Morata, who scored twice for Atlético Madrid:
Getting off on the right foot
“We’re happy, you always need to get off on the right foot. It was tough, it’s a difficult place to come, I think we’ll see that over the course of the season. It’s always hard to play here and against Getafe. So it was crucial to score the first goal early on. I think we’ve got a really solid team and a great group of players. All we can do is keep working hard to keep improving certain things. I think we’ve got a great year ahead of us, which will be full of competitive games.”
João Félix link-up
“He’s got a lot of talent. You need to make runs when he’s on the ball. Or Griezmann or Correa. You have to make forward runs. Lemar too, Marcos (Llorente). We have lots of players that play behind the strikers who have a lot of quality so you need to make those forward runs and hope something falls to you.”
Sending a message?
“I don’t have to send a message to anyone. I need to work hard for myself and for Atlético Madrid. In the end, we’re all part of a team and, as I said, I think we’ve got a really good group. During the week, Koke, our captain, said that training was really competitive and you can see that in games so we need to keep that going.”
Commitment
“I’m going to give my all in every game, that’s for sure. Other than that, some games will be better than others but I’m going to give my all for my teammates and for the shirt, that’ll always be the case.”
Fighting for multiple trophies?
“We’re focusing on (our next opponents) Villarreal, who did really well in the Champions League last season and in the league too. They’re a great team. We’ll have a rest day tomorrow and then start thinking about Villarreal.”
Atleti manager Diego Simeone:
João Félix development
“João showed huge improvement towards the end of last season in terms of his maturity as a footballer. He’s totally committed to what we need from him. He’s a player who sees the game better than anyone else. Today he had two assists, it was especially difficult to see where Morata was for the first one and the second one helped set us on the way to a victory that was really crucial, considering it’s the first game.”