Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone
believes his side can now count themselves as equals when facing Real
Madrid in the last La Liga derby at Atletico’s Vicente Calderon stadium
on Saturday.
Simeone has overseen a dramatic
turnaround in Atletico’s fortunes since taking over nearly five years
ago, including ending a 14-year winless streak against Real to win the
Copa del Rey in 2013.
Since then Atletico have lost two
Champions League finals to Real, but haven’t lost in their last six
league meetings with the European champions.
“We believe in our own strengths, we know our own virtues and, above all, our own deficiencies,” said Simeone on Friday.
“We know there was a long time when they were better than us and nowadays we compete on a par with them.
“It is obvious one match is not a league, it is just one match and anything can happen.”
Atletico won’t be short of motivation in
the first clash between the sides since Real edged May’s Champions
League final on penalties.
The club plans to move to a new 67,000
capacity stadium next season, but as well as possibly hosting Real for
the final time at the Calderon, Atletico are also in more need of the
points as they trail the league leaders by six points.
“The fans will be the same as always, we need them to be the 12th man,” added Simeone.
Whilst Real are injury-ravaged without
four key players in Pepe, Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Alvaro Morata,
Atletico hope to be at full-strength should top-scorer Antoine Griezmann
shake off a bruised left foot to start.
“He is better, he trained normally yesterday,” said Simeone when quizzed on Griezmann’s fitness.
“This morning he was treated again. He is making a huge effort to be fit.
“I hope he finishes training today in good shape and to be able to include him in the squad.”
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