Diego Simeone has mentioned he’s looking for the options to assist earn his first league win at Barcelona as Atlético Madrid coach on Saturday.
The Argentinian supervisor has been in command of the Rojiblancos since 2011. Atlético’s final LaLiga win at Barça was in February, 2006.
“I’ve gained at different locations within the league however I have never gained at Barça,” Simeone mentioned on Friday. “There’s at all times that problem to enhance and the numbers communicate for themselves. I have never discovered the answer to date.”
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Atlético, beneath Simeone, have confronted Barça 25 instances in LaLiga, dropping 16, drawing seven and successful solely twice. Each victories have been on their dwelling turf.
Atlético have loads of motivation heading into the encounter at Barcelona’s Olympic Stadium as a win would see them lead the LaLiga standings.
They’re at the moment stage on 38 factors with Barça, who’re high. Simeone’s aspect has not misplaced since Oct. 27 and is within the midst of an 11-game successful streak in all competitions, together with six straight triumphs in LaLiga.
Though Barça boast one of the best assault within the league, Atletico have, alongside Actual Sociedad, the strongest protection within the competitors with 11 targets conceded in 17 video games.
“We’re working nicely as a bloc,” Simeone mentioned. “We wish to compete and enhance.
“We now have the identical factors as we had final season, the outcomes of our rivals will present us how far we will go.”
Atleti are at full power whereas Barça, who’ve solely gained one among their final six league video games, are with out injured star Lamine Yamal.
“It is clear that Lamine is a unprecedented footballer,” Simeone mentioned. “He is without doubt one of the finest offensively. Barca do not have gamers who’ve comparable traits to him however they’ve others like Ferran [Torres], [Dani] Olmo, Pedri that may play in that place.”
Simeone praised Barça coach Hansi Flick’s model of play.
“We face a crew that performs very nicely,” Simeone mentioned. “I just like the youth they’ve in the course of the sector. They play superb soccer. I’ve little doubt that Raphinha is without doubt one of the finest in LaLiga for his performances, for his bravery, his manner of taking part in.
“They’ve carried out very nicely past the setbacks these days. Even in these setbacks, they’ve been higher than the rival. I do not assume he [Hansi Flick] will change something as a result of he has confirmed that his model provides him the outcomes he desires. We now have our strengths to compete in a sport that might be entertaining.”
