Stefan Savic backs new Atletico defenders despite K League loss

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone and veteran defender Stefan Savic are both confident that the team’s new defenders will lead the club to success this season, despite the La Liga team losing to Team K League on Thursday.

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone, right, and Stefan Savic pose for a photo during a pre-game press conference at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo District, western Seoul on Friday ahead of Sunday's match against Manchester City. [NEWS1]

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone and veteran defender Stefan Savic are both confident that the team’s new defenders will lead the club to success this season, despite the La Liga team losing to Team K League on Thursday.

Atletico revamped their squad this summer with notable changes in defense by signing such defenders as Cesar Azpilicueta, Caglar Soyuncu and Javi Galan, who were all in action in Thursday’s preseason match against Team K League — an all-star team made up of 22 K League 1 players picked by fans and coaching staff for the sole purpose of playing a single game against Atletico.

Atletico arrived in Korea Tuesday to participate in the Coupang Play Series — an annual exhibition series launched last year — to play Team K League and Manchester City.

Thursday’s match at Seoul World Cup Stadium in western Seoul against Team K League ended with a 3-2 loss for Atletico, despite having such aces as Antoine Griezmann and Koke in the squad.

The La Liga side dominated the first half and ended it leading 1-0, but their three new defenders failed to effectively block Team K League’s attack.

“I think the new players will do well,” Savic said during a pre-game press conference at Seoul World Cup Stadium ahead of Sunday’s match against City. “We’ve got a long season and they are all good players. I think the defense will be organized well.”

Simeone is on the same page.

“Speaking about all three players collectively, they joined the team recently, and I think they will surely help the team,” he said.

Whether he will pick those players again in the City game remains to be seen, as he is planning to choose players after considering the amount of training time.

Sunday’s game against the English treble winners will likely be tougher, with the likes of Erling Haaland expected in the squad to face Atletico.

The match will kick off at 8 p.m. at Seoul World Cup Stadium.

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