Diego Pablo Simeone, the Atletico Madrid coach, analysed the situation Ernesto Valverde finds himself in after Barcelona lost to the Rojiblancos in the Spanish Supercopa semifinal in Jeddah.
"I have a lot of respect for everyone's opinion," he said. "For me, Valverde is a great coach and he has shown his ability to manage the club with his work for a few years now."
Atletico came from behind to beat Barça 3-2, scoring twice in the last 10 minutes to set up a final with Madrid in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
All five goals came in the second half and the Argentine coach spoke about how his side defended well in the first half and attacked well after the break.
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"The best part defensively was the first half," Simeone added. "In the second half, we defended worse but attacked better. When the second goal was ruled out, there was a feeling in the stadium that I saw my players thinking: 'If we score now, we'll win.' They lost their fear."