Diego Simeone has reminded Atletico Madrid that “in life you have to be active and can’t wait around” ahead of Sunday’s trip to Levante.
Los Colchoneros have yet to win at Ciutat de Valencia under the Argentine’s command, with two defeats and a draw in three previous trips, but the Coach is keen for his side to avoid resting on their laurels and end their unwanted record.
“[On Atleti’s interest in River Plate duo Emanuel Mammana and Matias Kranevitter], these guys have been playing very well and are growing in a very competitive division [Argentina’s Primera Division], where it’s not easy to stand out,” he said at a Press conference.
“I’ve known Mammana since his childhood and follow Kranevitter because my son is also [at River]. These two will have a good future.
"Clearly it’s a decisive game. We’re still dependent on ourselves and always approach games with the same mindset.
“We’re only focused on our match and we know that what we achieve depends on what we do in our last three games.
“I’ve always said that in life you have to be active and can’t wait around.
“I see a good group of players, with enthusiasm and positivity, competing in a League that is showing itself to be the best in the world.
“Once again, we might have two Spanish teams in the Champions League final. And in all that, we’re battling with Valencia and Sevilla for third place.
“[Under my leadership], we’ve lost twice and drawn one at Levante, we need to be aware that we’re facing a tough and very competitive team, who are experienced defensively and have young legs such as Camarasa in the middle of the park, who gives good performances.
“[David] Barral up top has a lot of power, Morales is very quick and they have wingers who attack well. They’re especially strong at home
“[I’m not looking at our record against Levante] because no match is the same. They start differently and more you go back to try to get something out of that game, the tension is not the same, the responsibility is not the same and always different.
“[In this match last season], we were fighting for the title. [On Sunday], we’re fighting for third place.
“We’ll try to have a good game against a great team. It would be good for [Mario] Mandzukic to score, but it doesn’t matter who does.
“I don’t think Juanfran’s scored all year, so hopefully he might do.”
