Koke: Atleti won’t let Barca win

Koke has rejected suspicions Atletico Madrid will roll over and let Barcelona win in an effort to stop Real Madrid when the sides meet in Week 37.

It has been suggested that if Atletico have wrapped up third place by then, they will enter a half-hearted performance against La Blaugrana and harm Los Blancos’ title aspirations.

“We’re professionals and we will try to win,” Koke stressed, according to AS.

“We’ve always done that and we wouldn’t turn up otherwise. It’s always nice to beat Barca, one of the best in the world.

“We’re upset by that talk because we’re professionals. We have our pride and a lot to play for too.”

Atletico stumbled in pursuit of third this weekend with a goalless draw at home to Athletic Bilbao but Koke is relieved the team’s future is in their hands.

“We have three games left and the first final against Levante on Sunday,” he added.

“Madrid play Valencia and we’ll be watching, but in the end we depend on ourselves and, if we win the three games we have left, we’ll be third.

“Physically we’re fine. It’s almost the end of the season and there are times when the legs are heavy.

“But we’re fine. We’re eager. We were better than Athletic in the second half, I thought. We had a lot of chances but the ball wouldn’t go in.”

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