Sporting de Gijon vs Atletico Madrid preview - Perea targets top four - 7M sport

Sporting de Gijon vs Atletico Madrid preview - Perea targets top four



I have a say

Posted Sunday, January 23, 2011 by PA

Atletico Madrid defender Luis Perea has urged his side to treat every remaining league game as though it was their last as the Rojiblancos look to salvage their season with a top-four finish.

Sporting de Gijon vs Atletico Madrid preview - Perea targets top four

Thursday's Copa del Rey quarter-final exit at the hands of city rivals Real means Atletico, having already seen the defence of their Europa League title come to an end at the first hurdle earlier this term, now only have the league to focus on.

Quique Sanchez Flores' men are currently sixth in the standings ahead of the trip to 17th-placed Sporting Gijon, but are seven points adrift of Valencia, who hold the fourth and final Champions League berth.

However, with half the season still remaining, Perea knows they have plenty of time to close that gap to Los Che - as long as they give it their all in every game.

"We've been knocked out of the Copa del Rey and without doubt the dressing room is hurt, but we now have to focus on the league where our objective is to finish in the top four. We've never given up on that and we're not going to do it now," said the Colombia international, whose side's 3-0 win over Real Mallorca on Monday night was their only win in six league and cup matches in 2011 so far

"There are 19 finals left and we have to play every one of them as if were the last.

"Unfortunately we are out of two competitions, but that's now in the past and we need to accept it.

"What we cannot do is give up. There is half a season ahead of us and many things can happen."

Sporting eased their relegation worries and the pressure on coach Manuel Preciado with a hard-fought 2-0 win at home to Hercules last weekend.

That victory, just Sporting`s third of the season, ended a winless run of 13 league and cup matches for the Asturian side and saw them climb out of the relegation zone.



Attention: Third parties may advertise their products and/or services on our website.7M does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of their contents.
Your dealings with such third parties are solely between you and such third parties and we shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage of any sort incurred by you.