Diego Simeone applauded Atletico Madrid’s opponents Rayo Vallecano for their ‘bravery’ and discussed Fernando Torres’ form.
Torres is a goal away from his 100th in Atleti colours but has been stuck on 99 since September, 17 appearances without scoring.
“I always expect more from everyone. It’s a demand I place first on myself and then everyone else,” Cholo said at a pre-match Press conference, AS reports.
“Torres loves the club, he’s an absolute idol of the people. Tomorrow he will play and hopefully has a good game. He’s near the famous goal he’s chasing.
“He has to be isolated from that pressure. Things happen when they happen, when they’re least expected.”
The game will be Rayo’s second straight Madrid derby, having played and lost 10-2 to Real Madrid in the fixture before Christmas.
“It wasn’t a match with normal situations. It was unlike any type of encounter. They won’t change. They have a method of working and I think that is Rayo’s most important thing.
“Like us, like Barcelona, the team is marked by the style of play. Rayo are always a brave team. Their attacking game is very incisive. The first 15 minutes [against Madrid] were impressive, they were better than their opponent, with numerical superiority in all parts of the field.
“Then the circumstances of the game changed and changed the final result. Rayo are a dangerous opponent. Their courage is their virtue and their defect. They’re very dangerous to play. They put in crosses from the wings.”
