AFC Champions League Elite
The centre-back played an important role in keeping Yokohama F. Marinos’ forwards quiet during their quarter-final clash on Saturday and is determined to do the same against Frontale’s Erison and Shin Yamada.
“I try to improve every game to help my teammates,” said Simakan. “We have experienced and young players in the squad and we still need to keep improving.
“Every game is different and every game is another situation for defending. I will try to find the best solution to prevent them from scoring. But we also have to try to play together and be compact.”
The 24-year-old former France U21 player was signed from RB Leipzig at the start of the season after three successful years with the German Bundesliga side.
Simakan’s integration into the Al Nassr team has been seamless, settling into the heart of the defence under head coach Stefano Pioli.
Having missed only one of Al Nassr’s 11 matches in the competition so far, Simakan has also shown he can be an asset in attacking situations as he has two assists to his name.
Simakan won the German Cup with Leipzig in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons, so the Marseille-born knows what it takes to win a major competition and called for everyone on the Al Nassr divide to stand together.
“We are here to win this game and we will give everything because the semi-final is an important stage and we want to be in the final.
“We need everyone - including the fans - to be together to push us on the pitch. We will give our best and I’m sure that will help us win the game. “
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