‘Simeone has kept spirits up’

Filipe Luis has reflected on how Diego Simeone has not allowed Atletico Madrid to be affected by last weekend’s defeat to Real Madrid.

A 2-1 home defeat to Los Blancos has seemingly ended Atleti’s hunt for second in La Liga and continued a run of 14 years without beating their city rivals.

But, in heading out to Filipe’s former club Deportivo this weekend, the players are in a better mood.

“It is clear that when you lose a derby the team is affected. It hurts. But the Coach has not let us drop our heads,” the Brazilian full-back told reporters today.

“We will not give anything away. No-one has done with us. We will keep fighting until the end. We will try to win every game.”

“This weekend is a vital game for both us and Deportivo. It is clear that Depor in the second half of the season are a different team.

“They are after survival but we are excited about the Champions League. Not only do we want to qualify but we want to secure the position.

“To get a win at Riazor, though, will be very difficult. It is special for me and also [fellow former Depor player] Adrian Lopez.

“It is always diffcult to play teams in such a position as Depor are. It makes things complicated. The championship, below the top two, is very even. All games are complicated. Not only with good football, but tactically perfect.

“We’ll have to focus this weekend on our football.

“The match fixing allegations for Levante-Depor? I was in the shower thinking about how I would answer this.

“It’s hard to say, whether there is evidence, and it is a very serious accusation. I doubt it really, I know many players there and am confident that they are clean.”

Tags Deportivo Filipe Simeone
La Liga - Club News