midfielder Saul Niguez can help cover for the loss of
the injured Tiago Mendes.
Diego Simeone has heaped praise on Saul Niguez, believing the
Atletico Madrid midfielder is capable of filling the void created by
the extended absence of Tiago Mendes.
Starting his second successive match for Atletico, Saul scored
the winning goal in the 2-1 Copa del Rey victory over Reus
Deportiu in midweek.
The 21-year-old could now get a run in the first team after Tiago
suffered a broken leg in the 1-0 La Liga win over Espanyol,
ruling him out for at least three months.
"It's clear that Saul has heard a thousand times what I think of
him," Simeone said.
"He has absolutely everything. He can play anywhere in the
midfield, he can score, he can pass well.
"We will be very demanding, because we believe that being
demanding is the only way to make players like him grow.
"We expect an important match from him on Saturday [against
Granada]."
Simeone also insisted he did not want any player picked to
replace the sidelined Tiago to try to copy the Portuguese's style.
"I don't need Saul to be similar to Tiago. I want Saul to be Saul,
Koke to be Koke and Gabi to be Gabi. If they play in that
position, I'm not trying to find something similar to Tiago," he
added.
"Saul has different characteristics to Gabi in that position, Saul
has different characteristics to Koke in that position, so when
each of them play, the team will play to try and bring out their
best virtues as a player."
The game with Granada will see Simeone bring up a personal
milestone, as it will be his 150th league match in charge. His
main concern, however, is seeing his side extend their unbeaten
run in all competitions to 12 matches.
"The truth is that I wasn't very aware of this situation," he said.
"Everything that has come about in this time is due to the work
of the coaching staff, to the work of the players most of all, and
also the possibilities to work with stability for almost four and a
half years.
"That growth has been for all involved, so obviously, the 150th
match is something great, but, nothing takes me away from
thinking how Granada plays and, obviously, how difficult the
match will be."
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