Simeone urges Atletico Madrid to be ready for anything in the Madrid derby against Real Madrid

Atletico Madrid have shifted their focus to recovery rather than in-depth preparation ahead of their LaLiga showdown with city rivals Real Madrid this Saturday, as stated by coach Diego Simeone (54), who affirmed that his squad is prepared for the top-of-the-table encounter.

Real currently top the league with 49 points, just one ahead of Atletico, who are three points clear of third-placed Barcelona following 22 matches.

After a resounding 5-0 victory over Getafe in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday, Simeone mentioned that their attention had not yet moved to the upcoming derby.

“We haven’t had discussions about the match yet,” Simeone explained during a press conference on Friday.

“Our priority has been to recover properly, and tomorrow afternoon we will determine our approach to the match, recognising that we are up against a formidable opponent with outstanding individual talent, which makes them particularly hazardous.”

“With that in mind, we will be ready to execute the game plan we want.”

Recent derbies between the Madrid clubs have been closely contested, with four matches ending in 1-1 draws and each side securing two wins in the league over the last four years.

Notably, Real have failed to win any of the last four league encounters against Atletico.

“We are aware of the challenge ahead, facing a rival that will come out strong and highly motivated,” Simeone acknowledged.

“They excel in both maintaining possession and countering spaces, so it’s crucial that we focus on taking the game where we believe we can exploit their weaknesses.”

Real will approach the match following a dramatic 3-2 victory against local rivals Leganes in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, alongside a 1-0 league defeat against Espanyol last weekend, marking their third loss of the season.

Atletico, on the other hand, have won their last three matches across all competitions, including a convincing 4-1 triumph against RB Salzburg, which enabled them to secure a top-eight finish in the Champions League league phase.

The Argentine coach noted that he had yet to finalise his lineup for Saturday’s contest.

“It is essential to assess what is most beneficial for the team,”

he elaborated.

“I anticipate a match that could last 95 or 96 minutes, where we must be prepared for any situation. Every decision, from the starting players to who comes on later, has an impact.”