Los Blancos are 10 points ahead of Atletico, who have one game in hand, but Simeone believes that some strong teams can make the league competitive.
Atletico are always going to go game by game
Diego Simeone is confident that the La Liga title race is not over ahead of the derby between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid on Sunday at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. Los Blancos are 10 points ahead of Atletico, who have one game in hand, but Simeone believes that some strong teams can make the league competitive. “As always, we are quick to talk about the La Liga race being over,” Simeone told the press conference. “La Liga will always be competitive because there are outstanding teams. A group of five to six teams in the upper part of the table that work very well. We are always going to go game by game, and we are not going to change it. They won four of the last ten games, and we drew six. They know that we are competitive and that tomorrow they will not have an easy game.”
According to Simeone, Vinicius has a very bright future and present
Simeone stressed that Luis Suarez will be assessed ahead of the derby and revealed that Marcos Llorente would feature at right-back in the absence of both Kieran Trippier and Sime Vrsaljko due to injuries. “After the game against Porto, I spoke with Luis, and after the medical results, they said he had nothing,” added Simeone. “Tomorrow, he will be there, and we will assess whether he starts or comes on later. Vinicius Junior has been working very well, finding his scoring touch. He has a very bright future and present. With the absences of Vrsaljko and Trippier, we will continue with Marcos in that position.” Antoine Griezmann netted the opener on Tuesday against Porto, and the Atletico coach was full of praise for the Frenchman due to both his mentality and his skillset. “Antoine always wanted to return,” declared Simeone.
“He is where he wants to be. Hopefully, he can continue to improve and continue to grow because we need him. Above his efforts, he has talent, and no one will take it away from him. This makes him different within our team: talent plus sacrifice plus effort. He knew how to compete. Knowing how to play in any position on the pitch, as he did the other day as a left-winger. “Tomorrow’s is an important game for him and for the team. I hope he can give his best in the minutes that he will play.”