Diego Simeone is of the belief that Atletico Madrid’s game against Athletic Bilbao carries more importance than their future meeting with Barcelona.
The champions are battling Valencia and Sevilla for third place and host Los Leones at Vicente Calderon on Saturday.
They host Barca in the penultimate round but Cholo is focused on the next match, not a future fixture with the current League leaders.
“[Sevilla and Valencia] are doing very well. I said before the season Sevilla and Valencia would fight for third place,” Simeone recalled, AS reports.
“We’ve been there most of the season and it’s not easy. It requires you to carry the responsibility and obligation of taking three points.
“We have the advantage at the moment but there are still four games and a lot of points, with two away games.
“I am convinced tomorrow’s match is more important than the game against Barca.
“I’m not relaxed, I’m concerned about the game, because it’s a good chance we have at home.
“We’re on track for the top three for the third straight time, the first time that has happened in more than 100 years of our history.”
Simeone was also asked what he knew about the mooted transfer embargo Atleti are facing, and offered essentially a no comment.
“I spoke with people from the club [on Thursday] and there is no official confirmation,” he noted.
“When there is something to say officially, it’ll be said. To speak now would be premature.”
