Atletico Madrid Coach Diego Simeone has conceded that fatigue may be a factor in his team’s recent results.
Los Colchoneros have been beaten in their last three games, falling off the top of La Liga and exiting the Copa del Rey at the hands of Real Madrid.
Simeone told Gazzetta dello Sport that while he is not worried by the dip in form, he acknowledges tiredness may be the cause of the recent defeats.
“Is it usual? No, but it happens. Two were in the Copa del Rey against one of the strongest teams in the world,” Simeone said.
“Am I concerned? No. Eight days ago we were first in La Liga. All teams sooner or later go through a difficult moment, let’s see how we come out of it.
“If one looks at the 38 weeks of La Liga, it is impossible to think that we can compete with Madrid and Barcelona, impossible. They have a quality that makes a difference in the long run.
“Are we fatigued? Could be. Yet, if we talk of this then continuity was also one of the key factors to finding ourselves in this position.
“Nobody can guarantee that if we had played others then we would be in this position.”
Atletico resume their Champions League campaign against Serie A side Milan this month but El Cholo feels the League is where success should be targeted.
“Which is the priority? For me, the life for the fans is La Liga. The Champions League is stupendous, it makes you dream, but La Liga is the daily bread.
“And then, the League and Cup are gone, and so focus remains on the Champions League and there is great respect. It is going to be tough.
“Milan have many champions and should be approached with great humility, knowing that we will not be facing the team in Serie A, but a more aggressive one, with a great desire to do well.
“When we face Milan they will bring out the best in themselves, certainly.”
