Filipe Luis has looked to place expectancy in the Supercopa de Espana on Barcelona, but admits Atletico Madrid’s strength is in being ‘a cup team’.
Atleti play host on Wednesday evening for the first leg of this traditional season opener in Spain between last year’s League and Copa del Rey winners, with the Blaugrana seen as favourites to prevail.
Even so, the Madrid side are in buoyant mood, as their full-back revealed.
“It is not the same atmosphere played over two legs, but it is still a final,” began Luis in reflection of the two-legged aspect to the fixture.
“The favourite in these cases becomes even more so the favourite, but we have also shown much strength.
“We have lost very few pieces to the squad in recent years and that is our strength.
“We have always believed that Atletico are a cup team. We have shown a lot of force in the Cups and in play-offs.
“No-one believes that we cannot win. We do not hide to anyone that Barca are favourites, but we are going into this game with humility and our chances.
“Have we discussed the game much? After the game with Sevilla ended, Diego Simeone said he had yet to talk about the final.
“The Coach always works to the next game. We have no doubt that we will work towards this final as well as we have in the others.”
