Sevilla vs Atletico de Madrid preview - Simeone pleased with campaign

Posted Sunday, March 01, 2015 by PA

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone insists it is too early to compare his current side with last season's Primera Division title-winning team.

Atletico travel to Sevilla on Sunday looking to keep pace with Real Madrid and Barcelona at the top of the table.

The capital club have lost their last two matches on the road, though, at Celta Vigo in the league and at Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in midweek.

Atletico, who were also Champions League finalists last term, lost key players like goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and striker Diego Costa in the summer, while the likes of Mario Mandzukic and Antoine Griezmann arrived.

And Simeone wants to wait until the end of the season before comparisons are drawn between his teams.

"I do not compare with last year's team," he said at a press conference. "There are new players and at the end we can assess what this squad did.

"You can not compare constantly. But we are having a good season. We were competitive in the Copa Del Rey, won the Supercopa, we are alive in the Champions League and we still have many expectations in the league.

"The season is still good and in the end we'll see if it will be good or very good."

Sevilla enjoyed a rather more profitable trip to Germany in midweek, winning 3-2 at Borussia Monchengladbach to progress in the Europa League, and are chasing Champions League qualification.

They have endured a tough run in the league of late, though, losing three of their last four matches.

"It would be a morale booster to beat the champions," Sevilla coach Unai Emery said.

Koke could return in midfield for Atletico after injury.