Atletico Madrid vs Getafe preview - Simeone wants that winning feeling

Posted Sunday, November 11, 2012 by PA

Diego Simeone is looking for his Atletico Madrid side to recover the qualities that saw them go on an incredible run to start the season when they host neighbours Getafe.

Los Rojiblancos' 23-game unbeaten run came to an end last weekend with a 2-0 defeat to Valencia to leave them three points off the top but the Argentinian was more upset with the performance in losing in European competition for the first time in 17 games against Academica on Thursday.

He told Marca: "We need to recover our label as a team. I don't express what I felt after the two defeats. They weren't the same in terms of performance, but we lost the two games and in that sense they are the same. Confidence wise I am not worried about the team. The game against Valencia ought to be the road to follow."

Simeone made nine changes for the defeat in Portugal in midweek so a number of his key players will be recalled but Miranda and Mario Suarez face late fitness tests to see if they will be available.

Getafe boss Luis Garcia believes that Atleti's early season form proves that they can be title contenders.

He told Marca: "Atletico Madrid is the sensation of the league. The team has shown that it can compete with the best, they had 16 consecutive victories in Europe and eight in the league, when a team does this they are an alternative for the league.

"Hopefully we can hold on because they are a team with a tremendous faith in what they are doing. Moreover, they are very united between the fans, the team and the coach. We have to have a great game to beat them."

Garcia is expected to name the same side that started the 4-2 defeat to Real Betis on Monday night as David Abraham and Jaime Gavilan remain out injured.