Diego Simeone believes that Atletico will have to be ‘at their best’ if they are to beat Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
The capital club go to San Mames tomorrow looking for the three points that will keep them at the top of the table.
And the Argentine Coach has insisted that his side will need to be wary against a great Leones outfit.
“It's a great place to play football,” he told a Press conference.
“We will play a top side. We're having a good season but Athletic are also have a very similar season to us.
“Both for the fact they've got a new coach and the amount of points they've got. It's true that Sevilla are pushing them, but they're staying there and have great players.
“We will have to be at our best.”
Atleti go to Camp Nou on Tuesday for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona, but the tactician has refused to divulge whether he’ll be rotating the team.
“We will see what happens. Today's the first day that we will all train as a group.
“Tomorrow at midday we'll decide which way we're going to go for the starting XI.”
Simeone concluded by commenting on Victor Valdes, who is out for the season with a knee injury.
“It wouldn't be good for me to speak about what could happened. I give my support to Valdés and wish him all the best.
“It happened to me as a player and it's not easy. Hopefully he can recover as well as he can and will be back on the pitch soon enough.
“Everyone at Atlético de Madrid wishes him the best recovery and the best for him.”
