Simeone calls for care with Pablo Barrios and praises Grimaldo's attacking role

Diego Simeone addressed reporters on Friday ahead of Atletico Madrid's visit to Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium. In his final press conference before travelling to Barcelona, the Argentine coach reviewed the state of his squad and focused on two key names: Pablo Barrios, fresh from a standout Champions League performance, and Alejandro Grimaldo, now established as an attacking weapon in the rojiblanco system.

What Simeone wants for Pablo Barrios after his Champions League display

The academy graduate delivered an outstanding performance against Manchester United, although he had to leave the pitch in the 63rd minute with clear signs of fatigue. That day, the coach explained that the club is trying to manage his playing time in the best possible way, aware that he is getting better and stronger every day. The intention is clear: not to overwork him in a schedule packed with matches.

I would like to play him 90 minutes, but we have to take care of him and we will take care of him so he can deliver his best version all season.

On Friday, when asked about how far the young midfielder can go, Simeone avoided fueling the hype. Far from making a grand prediction, he turned the question into a direct request: that the praise not go to his head and that all the recognition translate into hard work and performance on the pitch.

Let these words not weaken him and let them whisper in his ear that he knows he is extremely important for the team and that he must prove it, because the pitch is what ultimately values footballers.

Managing Barrios' minutes in a demanding season

Atletico's coaching staff has opted for careful load management with the central midfielder since his breakthrough into the first team. The idea is for him to gain experience and confidence without reaching exhaustion in the decisive months. Simeone insists that his importance to the team is huge and that he must show it every time he steps onto the pitch.

Competition in Atletico's midfield is fierce and the calendar leaves no room to breathe between LaLiga, the Champions League and the Copa. That is why every minute Barrios spends on the bench is part of a management plan designed to protect his fitness and extend his best level throughout the campaign.

Grimaldo, a winger playing as a full-back for Atletico

The other key name in the press conference was Alejandro Grimaldo. Simeone highlighted his ability to create danger from the left flank and noted that, by his characteristics, he behaves almost like a winger starting from defence. That versatility allows Atletico to attack with width on the outside while also exploiting interior spaces.

He gives us a lot offensively, he is a winger playing as a full-back, he allows us to attack inside and outside. We are helping him to be better defensively.

The Argentine coach acknowledged that the coaching staff is working with Grimaldo on the defensive side of his game, the area that has historically defined the former Benfica and Bayer Leverkusen player the least. The goal is for him to improve in that department without giving up what makes him different in attack, so he can keep helping the team as he has so far.

Espanyol, the next test for an Atletico side seeking consistency

Atletico visit the Catalan side this Saturday at 14:00 in a LaLiga fixture. The rojiblancos want to keep pace in the upper part of the table and arrive with good feelings for the decisive phase of the campaign. Effort management will be key in a stretch where every point is starting to matter.

The match in Barcelona will measure the team's ability to compete with intensity away from the Metropolitano and to sustain the rotation plan without a drop in performance. Players like Barrios and Grimaldo, with clearly defined roles in the starting eleven, will be closely watched by Simeone.