Atlético Madrid will host Real Madrid for the Madrid derby. Ahead of the match, Atlético goalkeeper Oblak attended a press conference to discuss the team's recent form, preparation for the derby, and the clash with Real Madrid under manager Mourinho, among other topics.

I'd like to ask you a question about this derby. With Mourinho's return, does this derby take on a particular significance?

Oblak: A derby is always a derby, and for everyone, it's always a special match. We always approach it with a strong desire to win, and I believe this will be a very interesting match.

You've played well in your last two matches, keeping two consecutive clean sheets and scoring many goals. I wonder if this match can test how far this team can go. What are the limits of this team in such an important match?

Oblak: Yes, I think we played quite well in the last two matches, especially the last one. Our performance has been good, but the season is just beginning, some players haven't returned yet, and many new players have joined the team, so the team is definitely still gelling and building.

This season will be very long. This is an important match, and it's a derby, so obviously we want to win it. But I don't think Sunday's match will change the trajectory of the entire season.

You've played 36 derbies against Real Madrid. Has your approach to these matches changed since your first Madrid derby? Thank you.

Oblak: Nothing has changed. From my first derby until now, it's always been the same. In every derby, we take the pitch to win, we give everything, we play with the mindset of doing our best, and we help the team as much as possible. So this time won't be different from my first derby.

You're one of the team's captains and a very influential player in the dressing room. The start of this season has been difficult, with many players having played for their respective national teams before you had the chance to train together, and then there's the Álvarez situation. As captain, how do you manage this in the dressing room? Have you spoken to him this week?

Oblak: I think that whether as players or captains, we treat this as something that happens normally. It happened, and Álvarez is still with us. As I've said before, and as we've all said, we've always supported him.

He's doing his best, has already played several matches, and has given everything he could. I'm sure that as long as Álvarez is here, he'll give 100%. He'll do everything for this club and will try to help the team get the best possible results.

You've worked with Simeone for many years and have witnessed the team's development and changes from the beginning. Do you think the team is now taking more risks and, as a result, conceding more goals than before?

Oblak: I think the entire world of football is changing. Whether it's in conceding or scoring goals, today's football is very different from a few years ago. Perhaps a few years ago, defending was easier, or other teams weren't as effective in attack as they are now. The Champions League has always been very difficult, and our current playing style is certainly different from before. But at the same time, it's also difficult to play the way we did in the past.

I think football has evolved a lot. In general, there are more goals in matches now than before, and I think that's normal.

You had conceded goals in four consecutive matches previously, and now you've kept two consecutive clean sheets. What have you worked on with Simeone recently to avoid conceding so many goals?

Oblak: I hope we can maintain this momentum. But as I said before, football has changed. Teams are very strong now, they attack very well, and they know how to find spaces that perhaps weren't as easy to find in the past. However, we've trained on these aspects, and we must improve in all areas. In the last two matches, we played very well, and we need to continue in that direction.

Obviously, we want to concede as few goals as possible, but on the other hand, you also need to score goals. What really matters is winning the match. Ultimately, as long as you score one more goal than your opponent, you win, and that's what's most important. But I believe that as the season progresses, we'll continue to improve. In the last two matches, we've indeed played very well. As I just said, I hope we can maintain this performance.

I'd like to ask you about Koke. He continues to break records, and even as the years pass, his current performance is still exceptional. How do you explain that? Furthermore, for a match like Sunday's, is having such a leader on the pitch more important than ever?

Oblak: I think Koke is a legend of this club, and he continues to prove it. He's able to play now because his performance warrants it. Not because he's Koke, and not because he's played so many matches for the team, but because of the form he shows at training every day, and that shows in the matches.

He's the captain of this team and a reference point for this club. I think all Atlético fans can be very proud of him because he truly gives everything for this club. He's always been there. As I've always said, I hope he can continue to play for many more years, and I also hope he can eventually finish his career at this club.

Every time the league starts, we ask you what Atlético's objectives are for the season. The reality is that if you win the derby on Sunday, you'll be ahead of Real Madrid before the international break, and also close to Barcelona. You've been at Atlético for so many years—is this Atlético team fighting to win La Liga? Thank you.

Oblak: Atlético insists on fighting for the championship title every year. We're competing with many strong teams, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Villarreal is also very strong now, as are Athletic Bilbao and Real Betis. Many teams are performing very well.

But one thing is certain: we approach every competition with the objective of winning. We're not here just to participate in matches, or just to stay at the top and finish third or fourth. Obviously, we want to win the championship. However, as I said before, this season will be very long and very difficult. There will certainly be very good periods during the season, and there will also certainly be periods where things won't go as we'd like.

But we must stay united, we must believe in ourselves, and we must have the ambition to compete for the championship.

Traduit par IA.

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