Atletico Madrid defender Juanfran says that Madrid derbies are no longer the same since Diego Simeone arrived as boss.
The Champions visit the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday and Spanish international Juanfran has assured Atleti fans that Simeone, who took over in December 2011, will also never alter his philosophy.
“Since the arrival of the Coach we have worked in a way and planned matches so that we are closer to winning games than losing them,” he told a Press conference.
“Years ago it would have been unthinkable that Atletico would win the derby. I heard Madrid fans saying it was impossible for us to beat them, but since Simeone took over things have changed.
“Even so, the boss will not change and neither will the players, so I’m convinced we have prepared as best we can for Saturday, when we can get three very important points.”
Juanfran believes that the mental toughness Simeone has instilled in his squad does not allow for any kind of relaxation.
“There will never be any over-confidence, not with Real Madrid or any other team. We go into every match the same way with the idea of winning.
“We leave any false confidence in the dressing room and it’s true that since the boss came in the derbies have been very close.
“We have managed to break the losing streak we had with Madrid for so many years and their players and supporters now view us differently.
“Hopefully, as has happened many times in previous years, we can win again at the Bernabeu.
“That is what we are going there to do,” he warned.
