Simeone explains why Atletico has no excuse to competing with Real Madrid and Barcelona
Diego Simeone has said that Atletico Madrid cannot use budget as a excuse to pose challenge to Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Both Real Madrid are financially stronger than Atletico, despite of admitting that rivals enable them for more success, however feels his side has to compete with La-Liga‘s big hitters.
[On Yannick Carrasco’s injury] we must seek alternative ways to attack in the best way possible,” he said.
“We’ll prepare accordingly to the time we have available and play [on Saturday] at four, which is the scheduled time.
Simeone explains why Atletico has no excuse to competing with Real Madrid and Barcelona
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“Over the years, we changed more players us than them and, except for James, they’re virtually the same as they’ve always been.
“They’re tough opponents, difficult, with great attacking potential, so we must put in important defensive work to curb this potential.
“It’s always important to win for ourselves as what they do doesn’t depend on us.
“We have to take the match to where we feel most comfortable and do well in consequence.
“The only way I know [a scoring drought can be halted] is to continue creating chances.
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“The other day [against PSV], we had four important ones. That’s the way forward.
“You can have many chances and not score or have one and take it.
“The players, mainly those who are involved in goalscoring, live for these moments and hopefully we’ll regain that key facet of scoring goals.
“Regardless, we have a line of work and style of play and won’t change them.
“I consider [Madrid] as a rival, like everyone else, nothing more or less.
“[On differences in budget], the economic differences are real, but in a game there’s no difference.
“In the long run, the team who have a bigger budget usually go further because they have a bigger chance of success.
“From there, the situations may vary, but that’s the logical explanation.
“While there are points, the League is always up for grabs. We’re also aware that it will be difficult for Barcelona to drop nine points.
“It would follow a line of continuity in the work we’ve been doing in the previous six months [if we finished second].
“Finishing second is always better than finishing third.”