Luis Garcia Plaza has stated his belief that Atletico Madrid are title contenders ahead of the Madrid derby between Atleti and Getafe.
The Azulones make the short trip to the Vicente Calderon on Sunday hoping to hone the giant killing skills which have helped them dispose of Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao this season, but their Coach is full of admiration for the Rojiblancos.
“Atletico are proving they can compete with the very best,” Garcia Plaza declared in a media engagement today.
“They had 13 straight wins in the League and in Europe. When a team does that they are an alternative to win the title. There is a very close bond between the fans, the team and the Coach.
“All Coaches have an anti [Radamel] Falcao plan, an anti [Lionel] Messi plan, an anti [Cristiano] Ronaldo plan, but they eventually score goals, so the plan is to be very focused because they also have Arda Turan and Adrian. Atletico are not Falcao only, but he is the best striker in the world right now.”
The former Levante tactician is happy with his side's efforts thus far.
“I have good feelings. This time last year we were eliminated from the Copa and below where we are in the table now. Our team is able to win at the Calderon.”
Atletico have lost their last two games, against Valencia and Academica, not that Garcia Plaza is reading anything into it.
“I don't give it any importance. We are talking of 13 wins in a row, that's crazy, and shows they're doing great with a talented Coach and players who are very confident.”
