Is beating Real Madrid fundamental for Atlético’s Liga aspirations?
It is an important match against a direct rival, for what we are playing for in La Liga. And in the Calderón, obviously we aspire to win.
Madrid or Sevilla – who would you prefer to win on Wednesday night?
That both lose. It’s clear that we are competing against these teams - Sevilla, Valencia, Barça, Madrid - and it’s clear that we need them to lose points and for us to achieve ours. We don’t think about tonight’s match but instead about beating Madrid; that would close the gap to first place and maintain the distance away from the teams that are coming from behind us.
Profe Ortega, in yesterday’s training session, said to you: “Without fouls, then we are violent”. Does it bother you that people say Atleti are violent?
Of course. We are tired, we don’t believe that story. We don’t know where it comes from. We compete and we have been doing so for years. Everything that has been achieved has been based on work, on effort, on working well, on being intense, but not violent. We play football and nothing more.
What do you think of Real Madrid?
[They are] strong. They had a great first half of the year. We are facing the best Madrid. We work to be prepared and to try to hurt them as we have done in previous matches.
Have you heard that Cavani could come? And have you spoken with him?
I have not heard anything. But whatever is positive for the team is good. We have Mandzukic and Torres and if Cavani could come, whatever improves and raises the level of the team is good.
After the last five derbies, are Atlético the favourites?
There is no favourite. And that’s because even though we have won the last few, there is never a favourite in a derby. Even less so nowadays. Past results do not make you win a match.
But, do you think you hold the Indian Sign over Madrid?
Since the Copa del Rey match we have found a way to play against them that has paid off and we have always maintained this line. We could lose, draw or win, but we are clear with our style of play. Not just against Madrid, but also against the rest, but Madrid demand an intensity and concentration which is much bigger due to the playing ability that they have.
Are you worried that the referee is conditioned to think that Atlético are violent?
No, we have had very good referees in matches against Madrid lately. We are only concerned about playing football, nothing more.
Has the atmosphere in the derby changed?
In the first year that I was here we were unable to beat them and it was experienced in a special way. It is always viewed with optimism. It’s true that the dynamic has changed in recent years. Atleti are more competitive, they have been matched to fight against the great powers: Madrid, Barça. That is how the people perceive it and they live it with optimism.
Against Barça, you conceded goals on the counter. Are you working on that?
Yes, we are working this week to try to counteract Madrid’s strong points and one of those is the counter-attack. They have very fast players up top and we will try to be very attentive. On the counter, Madrid are one of the most dangerous teams in the world.
It seems like Atlético have always had a slump in February in the last few years…
I think we come with in a good dynamic, after a great January. With very nice, intense matches, of a high level, and with the line we have been bringing. We have a big test on Saturday and we will try to win, but we know that this is a nice month to finish. We are looking to maintain our line. Now we have long weeks to carry out physical work with ‘el Profe’ and prepare for the matches that come.
If you lose, will you have to say goodbye to La Liga?
No. We aspire to win and take some points off Madrid and cut the distance from behind. But if we lose, I don’t think we say goodbye to La Liga. There are many dates left. La Liga is still very even and it’s soon to say that something is done.
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