‘Atleti can fight in every competition’

David Villa sees his Atletico Madrid side as ready to fight until the end on all three competitive fronts this season.

Los Colchoneros will be balancing League action in 2013-14 with the defence of their Copa del Rey crown and a first Champions League campaign in four years.

For their new striker, though, the squad he has been working with has shown signs of being able to handle these demands, even if the League title is out of their reach.

“I have the same opinion as Diego Simeone on the League,” began Villa to Mundo Deportivo today.

“The disadvantage is clear, and this is not for me to say but there are the numbers, from preseason transfers of those two and then the rest.

“From there, we have to fight, we have the squad for three competitions, the League, Champions League and Cup.

“We have the squad ready to be in each of the three right until the end and we will see what comes from everything when we get there.

“Obviously if Barca and Madrid are at the same level as recent years, then it will be very difficult for Atletico Madrid or any team to reach 100 points.”

The 31-year-old ended an association with Barcelona by joining Atleti this summer and reflected on the differences he has felt.

“Whenever you change team it is significant. The biggest change on the field is obviously in different systems that we play, I’m playing in a different position, more accustomed to conditions that favour my game and that I have played in through my life, in attack. And obviously there are other things – the fans, my teammates, the city…when you change club, everything changes.

“Cholo Simeone is a very demanding Coach, which is normal at a club like Atletico Madrid. He has a very definite idea of football and he is very good.

“And I think that apart from everything that has been achieved, you just have to hear his players talk about him, especially those who have spent more time with him.

“Why Atleti? They were the first club I spoke to, not us directly, but through my agent and then me, and then there were other clubs.

“During the Confederations Cup I wanted things to be fairly quiet, without much to overwhelm me, aware that I had time and then around that time, the one that showed the most interest in wanting to sign me was Atletico.”

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