Atlético v Real Madrid preview
Monday, April 13, 2015
Article summary
Club Atlético de Madrid are unbeaten in six against Real Madrid CF but Diego Simeone said ahead of Tuesday's first leg that their rivals have "more individual talent".
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Article body
• Atlético unbeaten in six games this season against rivals Real Madrid
• Diego Simeone: "They have more individual talent than us in several positions"
• Carlo Ancelotti: "We must compete and fight until the end"
• Atlético had not conceded in five prior to their weekend draw at Málaga
• Madrid have lost three of their last seven matches in all competitions
Possible lineups
Atlético: Oblak; Juanfran, Miranda, Godín, Gámez; Arda Turan, Tiago, Suárez, Koke; Griezmann, Mandžukić.
• Doubtful: Raúl García (arm)
Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Modrić, James; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo.
• Doubtful: Khedira (back), Coentrão (knee)
Diego Simeone, Atlético coach
The two teams are different because of the qualities of their players. This is also a different game from last season, with players on both sides who weren't involved in the Lisbon final. They have more individual talent than us in several positions. I don't look at previous matches because this one is going to be different – it will be played with real intensity.
They have extraordinary players and we respect the ability of them all. We cannot choose our opponents, but I admire Ancelotti as a man – he doesn't change his words whether his team win or lose. It's a source of pride to compete against the best and Carlo is one of them.
I wish that we, from our position on the pitch, could ask our supporters to be with us for the whole match. There's a great symbiosis between players and fans. Being among the best eight teams in Europe makes our supporters proud. Realistically, we need to focus only on this game for now. We have a chance tomorrow.
Carlo Ancelotti, Madrid coach
This match is one chapter in the season; I need to be judged at the end of the campaign. Every match has its problems. Every defeat against Atlético this season has been different. We don't need to win both these games because a draw could do it. I'm lucky because the whole squad is available for this important match. To play well we need to use our weapons: individual talent and a fast, attacking game. Football is not so complicated.
We are not obsessed with Atlético, we just want to reach the semis. Our dream is to win an 11th European Cup. Sergio Ramos's goal [in Lisbon last May] is an unforgettable memory but now we are focused on the present and dreaming of another title.
We will play to win but we also recognise that two draws could be enough. It's a very even tie and we have a 50% chance. This doesn't change our intention of playing to make the most of our players' quality. I'm lucky because I have a fantastic squad. But personality and courage are important in these kind of games.
Simeone is a great coach, he's proved that. I like him very much and he's one of the best in the world. For me, it's an honour to compete with him – and also a problem. Atletico are very tough opponents because they have fantastic defensive organisation, but they are not our bogey team. Even so, we have total respect for them as they fight from the first minute until the last. I'd like to see my team competing till the end.
Weekend results
Málaga 2-2 Atlético (Torres og 37, Samuel 71; Griezmann 25 78)
Madrid 3-0 Eibar (Ronaldo 21, Hernández 31, Jesé 83)
Form guide (all competitions)
Atlético: DWWWWD
Madrid: LWLWWW
Match fact
• How many of the two sides' 201 league and cup meetings have been won by the Merengues? Find out in our extensive match background.