Atletico likely to field younger squad against Team K League, Simeone says

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone, left, and captain Koke pose for a photo during a pre-game press conference at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo District, western Seoul on Wednesday ahead of Thursday's preseason game against Team K League. [NEWS1]

 
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone hinted that he is likely to field a younger squad against Team K League on Thursday, the first of two exhibition games the Spanish club will play in Korea.
 
“We are working to adapt to a different time zone and our younger players will play the first game with passion and diligence,” Simeone told reporters during a pre-game press conference at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo District, western Seoul on Wednesday.
 
Atletico is participating in this year’s Coupang Play Series — an annual exhibition games series launched last year — with Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.  

 
“We were cheered by the people here when we arrived at the airport and also at the hotel,” Simeone said. “We will work to show a good performance on the pitch.”  
 
The La Liga side will play Team K League — an all-star team of players drawn from the K League 1 — at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Thursday.  

 
The preseason game will act as a way for Atletico to test out its squad ahead of the upcoming 2023-24 season, while also raising their global prominence.  
 
“A club can improve when they play friendly matches,” Simeone said. “More fans will cheer for our team and we have to show a good performance in the game."
 
Atletico will first play Team K League at Seoul World Cup Stadium at 8 p.m., before clashing with City in a second Coupang Series game at the same venue on Sunday.  
 
The series will end on Aug. 3 with a match between PSG and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors at Busan Asiad Stadium in Busan.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]