Simeone: Madrid better than Barca

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone believes Real Madrid have ‘the best XI in the world’, more so than Barcelona.

Atleti face Real on Sunday in a capital derby at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Simeone’s side second in La Liga and looking to extend their lead on Los Blancos to seven points.

“We always think about what we want,” the Coach said at a Press conference.

“I may be too enthusiastic or a dreamer, but everyone lives their lives as they want, and the only thing that’s crossed my mind and that interests me is to stay on the trail of Barcelona.

“I’m not thinking about anything else. The Derbi? It touched me when I was playing for first place, eighth, ninth…

“These derbies are always exciting because they’re played with tension and you experience them in the same way as the fans. I can’t imagine it any other way.

“We can’t use tiredness as an excuse [for losing] and less so as it’s a derby. Our game will be based on hard work and the collective so we can have a great match.

“Madrid absolutely have the best XI in the world, if not the best squad. They’ve done great work as a club and they’ve put together a tremendous team, one that’s better than PSG, City and Barcelona, and that’s the strength they have.

“Griezmann and Ronaldo? The two are completely decisive for each team. We see it in their goals and performances. It’s not very difficult to see.

“Ronaldo’s decisive for Madrid and Griezmann is certainly decisive for us thanks to his game and goals. His numbers alone speak for themselves.

“Lack of numbers? I don’t want 25 who don’t want to be [involved], I want 17 who want to be.

“Suspensions at Sporting? I have nothing to say on that. The club have to resolve things internally, while we’re only observers from the outside and no more than that.”

Tags Derbi Madrileno Diego Simeone Madrid derby
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