Filipe insists he doesn’t regret missing out on the chance to join Barcelona, claiming he couldn’t be happier at Atletico.
Barca were linked with a move for the Brazil international when he was a Deportivo player, and Filipe feels that while he may have won more trophies at Camp Nou, he wouldn’t be happier than he is at the Vicente Calderon.
“If I had gone to Barca I’d have won a couple of titles, but I wouldn’t be as happy as I am here,” he told Onda Cero.
Atletico host Barca on Saturday and Filipe is confident his side can come out with a victory, predicting a 1-0 score line.
“The games we played in the Super Cup reflect what may be Saturday’s game.
“Barcelona will have possession and we, as always, will be together, trying to hurt them on the counter.
“Tata Martino has to choose from the many players that can cause us trouble but we have many resources too. Of course his are on another level.
“But we’re going to try, with great humility, to attack. The Coach has studied our rivals and told us exactly what we need to do.”
Lionel Messi is likely to feature for Barca after returning from injury against Getafe in the Copa del Rey, and rather than wish the Argentine’s injury had lasted a little longer, Filipe believes football is better off with Messi fit again.
“It’s important for football that Messi is fit. The match will be better with everyone available.”
Atletico will go into the game with tremendous confidence, Filipe said, and will rely on their team ethic to see them through.
“In the end both Atletico and Barcelona are about the team but when they have a problem, their individuals solve it. We have that quality in Diego Costa but we’re known for being a team.”
Filipe continued: “Costa needs to be motivated from time to time and he turns on and fights for the club.
“Diego Costa is an icon for this club and we will enjoy his goals at the World Cup.”
Filipe also hopes Diego Simeone remains with Atletico for a long time, crediting the Coach for the club’s form this season.
“I think we are still improving. We’ve got a Coach whose level of study of opponents is spectacular.
“He’s also very young and hopefully will continue on this path because each passing year we have improved with him.”
