Getafe Coach Cosmin Contra isn’t taking on Atletico Madrid and fearing the might of the champions, insisting his side can compete.
Contra acknowledged Atletico are favourites for the Madrid derby and believes it is for the good of the League that Atletico are competing with Real Madrid and Barcelona, but backed his side to cause an upset.
“It’s football and we can beat anyone,” Contra said, AS reports.
“They are super favourites and have the pressure that they can’t drop points on Madrid and Barca.
“I hope they contest the League as they did last year because it’s better for the competition and I think they will do that.
“But of course we can beat them.”
Contra went on to assess the champions’ strengths and conceded he would love to replicate his Atletico counterpart and former teammate at Vicente Calderon, Diego Simeone.
“First, they’re the best in the world at set-pieces. Every team knows this and they still score goals,” he pointed out.
“Either the other Coaches are fools or Atletico are very good.
“They have changed the way they play because they have a lot of different players, but they maintain the essence of their competitiveness and intensity.
“What Coach wouldn’t want to be like Cholo? The players go to the death with his ideas and things go well.
“I always liked to play good football and have players with personality. The key is to get to know your players to get the better of them and push them."
Contra was asked for the latest on the situation with Pedro Leon, who hasn’t played all season as Getafe would breach the salary cap if they were to register the winger.
The row has involved the LFP, the RFEF and the players’ union but still hasn’t been resolved.
“It’s an institutional issue and I can’t get involved,” Contra protested.
“I won’t play him until it’s clear he can play. It’s difficult for him and us. We try to help him and treat him like one of the team.”
