Diego Simeone is counting on Atletico Madrid's passionate fans to spur them on in their first LaLiga home match of the season against last year's surprise package Girona on Sunday.
Atletico made a disappointing start to the season with a 2-2 draw at Villarreal on Monday as they failed to find a winner in the second half after twice coming from behind to level.
With Girona once again looking to challenge for a top-four place this season, Simeone is ready to use every advantage his team can get.
"I played my time as a footballer in front of this crowd, and it was above everything else," Simeone said in a press conference.
"It always pushes those who have to play and, hopefully, we can release the energy of the stadium onto the pitch."
Julian Alvarez, Conor Gallagher and Spain Euro 2024 champion Robin Le Normand were introduced to a crowd of over 30,000 at the Metropolitano Stadium on Wednesday, with Simeone admitting he felt emotional when he saw the reception given to the new signings.
"The other day at the unveilings, when I saw the recognition given to the new boys and how so many people came to see those players, I was thrilled," Simeone added.
"Today we have the chance, with a lot of hard work, to put together an interesting and competitive squad and we have to be aware of the place we are in and the responsibility that this entails.
"We live it with a lot of passion, I don't forget where we come from. Sure, it will depend on a number of factors, but on Wednesday I got emotional. This is a consequence of what past generations have left behind."
Atletico have already spent more than €200million to reinforce their squad after a disappointing season in which they finished fourth in LaLiga.
However, the 54-year-old said he expects to add two more players to his squad before the transfer window closes next week.
"We are fulfilling everything we talked about at the beginning of the summer, the path is going the way we wanted, we are on the way to closing it; we are still missing two players who should arrive soon, in a few hours they will be with us," Simeone said.
One of those players should be French defender Clement Lenglet, who, according to media reports, is expected to arrive from Barcelona on a season-long loan, with the Catalan giants desperately trying to reduce their first-team wage bill so they can comply with LaLiga's financial controls.
Mason Greenwood reportedly set to switch allegiance to represent Jamaica's Reggae Boyz
Mason Greenwood seems set to switch allegiance from England to play for Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz under new manager Steve McClaren, according to reports.
It has been widely reported that Olympique Marseille winger has started the process after the English Football Association was approached by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) to formally request a transfer of Greenwood’s international registration.
The 22-year-old former Manchester United starlet, who made his England debut in a UEFA Nations League game at 18 years old, has not featured for the Three Lions since, as he has endured international exile since being charged with attempted rape and assault, which he denied. The charges were later dropped.
As per FIFA rules, Greenwood can change allegiances as he was under 21 years old when he competed for England in 2020.
The JFF’s initial attempt to get Greenwood to switch his international allegiance was unsuccessful, as the player declined with hopes of reviving his career with England.
However, this latest breakthrough was said to be aided by the recent appointment of McClaren as Reggae Boyz Head coach, as the former Manchester United assistant has persuaded Greenwood, who, according to The Sun, is eligible to play for Jamaica through his father, Andrew, to make the move.
Greenwood, who played one season for Spanish La Liga club Getafe last season on loan from Manchester United, later moved to Marseille, where he scored twice and contributed two assists in a 5-1 win over Brest last weekend.
McClaren’s first game as Reggae Boyz Head coach will be a Concacaf Nations League fixture against Cuba on September 6, followed by an away contest against Honduras. However, Greenwood’s transfer may not come through in time for him to play.
Reggae Boy Damion Lowe inks two-year deal with Al-Akhdoud in Saudi Pro League
Reggae Boyz Vice Captain Damion Lowe has officially joined the growing list of players making the move to the Saudi Professional League.
The 31-year-old defender signed with Al-Akhdoud on Friday, completing a transfer from Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit Philadelphia Union. Lowe has committed to a two-year deal with the Saudi Pro League team, though the transfer fee remains undisclosed.
Lowe joins a wave of top-tier talent that has recently gravitated towards Saudi Arabia, following in the footsteps of global stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema, and Sadio Mane. Among his compatriots, Reggae Boyz Demarai Gray and Andre Gray also made similar moves last summer.
Damion looks forward to the journey ahead.
"Playing in the Saudi Pro League is a thrilling new chapter in my career. I’m eager to bring my best to the pitch, embrace the culture, and make an impact both on and off the field. The recent passion for football there is incredible, and I can’t wait to be a part of it," Lowe said.
Al-Akhdoud is a Saudi Arabian football club based in Najran, located in the southern region of the country.
Hurzeler hails 'special' Joao Pedro after late Brighton winner
Fabian Hurzeler hailed "special" Joao Pedro after the forward scored a late winner for Brighton and Hove Albion against Manchester United.
Joao Pedro converted Simon Adingra's back-post cross in the 95th minute to earn Brighton a 2-1 victory in Saturday's Premier League contest.
The Brazil international's goal came after Alejandro Garnacho had an effort ruled out by VAR at 1-1 as Albion went on to make it two wins from two this season.
Danny Welbeck had earlier opened the scoring for Brighton with 32 minutes played, before Amad Diallo's leveller on the hour mark.
Asked about Joao Pedro's last-gasp winner, Hurzeler told BBC Sport: "I think Joao is a player who can decide the game with one action.
"For me, it was impressive today how he worked against the ball. He had the belief he would score and that's something that makes him special."
No player on the Amex Stadium pitch managed more than Joao Pedro's two shots on target - level with team-mate Welbeck.
He accumulated an expected goals (xG) value of 0.52, with this his third goal in four league meetings with Manchester United.
Brighton have now won back-to-back games to begin the Premier League campaign, having eased to a 3-0 win at Everton last weekend.
Hurzeler has therefore started his tenure with successive victories and felt his side were good value for their latest win over Man United.
"It was a very emotional [win]," he said. "Always when you get the win in the last minute it is. I think we deserved to win.
"We had a good game, not a perfect game. There were also situations where United had the chance to win the game.
"After their offside goal, I think we started to control the game again. In the end, I think we deserved to win."
Only Manchester City (eight) have won more Premier League games against Man United than Brighton (seven) since the start of 2017-18.
Hurzeler added: "I'm very proud of the team. They showed the value of never giving up and that's very important to me."
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