Cordoba C.F. vs Atletico de Madrid preview - Simeone calls for big finish

Posted Saturday, April 04, 2015 by PA

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has urged his side to be fully focused for the "10 finals" left in the league season as they look to secure third spot in the Primera Division.

With the league champions now nine points behind leaders Barcelona, Simeone has given up hope of retaining the title but is still demanding that his side finish the season on a high, beginning with Saturday's trip to bottom side Cordoba.

"There are 10 finals remaining in the Liga and tomorrow we have to play as if we are in a final," the coach told a press conference.

"Words matter little at this stage of the season, what matters much more is what happens on the pitch, how well we play and what results we get."

Atletico are a point behind Valencia and four ahead of Sevilla, and Simeone acknowledged it would not be easy for his side to finish in the top three but insisted he welcomed the competition.

"It's difficult because Valencia and Sevilla have grown a lot from last season and Villarreal are still on the rise, and that's all good for the competitiveness of the league," he said.

"I hope that in the next few years we are closer to the top of the table in the final stages of the season.

"Now Valencia are eight points behind Barcelona, which is a good number. That did not happen a few years ago and the teams that are fighting for third place behind Real Madrid and Barcelona are growing and that's good for the competition."

Simeone named his full starting line-up for the match with Cordoba, confirming that Saul Niguez will return in midfield after a lengthy lay-off.

Raul Garcia is still injured, as are Cristian Ansaldi and Miguel Angel Moya, with Miranda suspended.

Cordoba meanwhile have Aleksandar Pantic, Daniel Pinillos and Inigo Lopez all suspended, but welcome back Nabil Ghilas, Jose Angel Crespo and Edimar as they hope to avoid what would be a 10th consecutive league defeat.

Jose Antonio Romero's side are seven points from safety and relegation is looking more and more inevitable, but striker Florin Andone insisted no-one was ready to throw in the towel.

"Until mathematics tells us otherwise, we'll continue to fight and try to do as best we can," he told a press conference.

"It's difficult but no-one here is going to give up, we have to keep on working and improving day by day and keep giving 100 percent."