Celta Vigo vs Atletico de Madrid preview - Cup final is no distraction for Lopez

Posted Wednesday, May 08, 2013 by PA

Atletico Madrid striker Adrian Lopez insists the Copa del Rey final against capital rivals Real Madrid will not distract them from securing a third place finish in the Primera Division.

The two Madrid sides will meet at the Bernabeu on May 17 in the cup final, but first for Atletico are games against Celta Vigo and Barcelona at the weekend.

Diego Simeone's side are currently third in the league standings, 11 points ahead of fourth-placed Real Sociedad, with Lopez keen to seal third place and automatic Champions League qualification.

"We still have to keep winning games. In the next game we must get the three points," Lopez told the club's official website.

"I think the season has been outstanding. Being where we are with what is left and in the cup final against Real Madrid, it is very good for us.

"I believe this to be an outstanding season and if we ended up getting third and winning the (cup) title, it would be perfect but the season has already been outstanding."

He added: "We are concentrating on what is coming up, which is the match against Celta. For us it is a very important game. Later we will speak about the final and prepare with a lot of excitement as a club and for the fans.

"They are in need of points and play at home. They are a team that plays well and are dangerous. It will be complicated but they are three very important points for us and we will try to win."

Celta are second bottom of the overall standings but just two points from safety following a recent upturn in form which has seen them claim seven points from their last three games.

Long-term absentees Hugo Mallo (knee) and Sergio Alvarez (shoulder) are the only players not included in Abel Resino's squad.