Diego Simeone has urged Atletico Madrid to concentrate on one recreation at a time as they face Barcelona and Actual Madrid a number of occasions within the subsequent six weeks.
Atletico face Barca within the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg on Tuesday, but additionally face them in LaLiga earlier than the return fixture on April 2, with a two-legged Champions League final 16 tie in opposition to Actual Madrid throughout that interval as properly.
The three golf equipment are at present locked in a heated LaLiga title race, with Barcelona and Actual Madrid stage on 54 factors – the previous sitting prime as a consequence of their head-to-head file, and Atletico one level behind in third.
The primary leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final will happen on the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, with Atletico at dwelling for the second leg.
“The important thing, the one method, is to have a look at every day match-by-match,” Simeone advised a press convention on Monday.
“We’re excited, we wish to compete, wanting ahead to dealing with every recreation in one of the best ways doable and to attain that we’re targeted solely on [Tuesday’s] recreation.
“It’s an important match, but it surely doesn’t finish [after the first leg]; it’s divided into two phases, one on their dwelling courtroom and one on ours. And we’ll take the sport the place we predict we are able to harm them.”
Atletico will sort out Barca on Tuesday, two months after their final go to in late December noticed them struggle again to beat Hansi Flick’s aspect 2-1 in an exhilarating LaLiga encounter.
Barcelona had 19 pictures and collected 2.72 anticipated targets (xG) in that loss, with Atletico scoring twice from 0.63 xG and simply 5 makes an attempt.
Simeone’s aspect are the underdogs heading into this tie although, with the Opta supercomputer giving them solely a 22.5% probability of successful the primary leg in comparison with Barcelona’s 53.8% win likelihood.
Simeone stated his aspect are able to endure in what he expects will likely be a battle in opposition to LaLiga’s leaders.
“While you face large groups you understand you need to be ready to withstand, to endure struggling,” Simeone stated.
“There will likely be good moments for both sides, and it’s essential reap the benefits of these. It occurred within the 1-1 draw in opposition to Actual Madrid, the place there have been moments once they have been higher than us and the opposite method round.
“Now we have a concrete concept, and we’ll work on it with the boys beforehand. We’re up in opposition to an opponent that I actually like the way in which they play. They’ve nice attacking energy, and we’ll be seeking to harm them the place we predict we are able to.”
