Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone insists the only way his team can compete with Europe’s big clubs is to fight and work in every game.
Los Rojiblancos go into the final fixture of the season at Granada on Saturday knowing a point will ensure third place and qualification for the group stages of the Champions League next season.
In an interview with Onda Cero, the Argentine acknowledged the importance of the match, one that the Andalusians also need to take something from to boost their chances of top-flight safety.
“It’s going to be a very important day and one that will be full of nerves, but it’s difficult to focus everything on one match out of a whole season.
“At the beginning of the year we said our fight was against Sevilla and Valencia. We were not mistaken.
“For Atleti to keep on winning we can only do one thing – that is to work and fight,” said Simeone, who commented on the spirit he has instilled at the Vicente Calderon.
“I wanted to bring back the feeling of belonging to the club, to feel its spirit. That’s something you can do to compensate for not being able to sign a player for €100m.
“If we don’t see what the reality is then it becomes very difficult for us to compete. It’s not enough to just have talent at Atletico Madrid.
“Elsewhere, yes, but we can’t sign superstars and we have to look for players with a good work ethic.
“This year has been our most difficult because we have set the bar so high,” he admitted.
