Simeone: Atletico still on track despite Villarreal draw

Posted Monday, February 22, 2016 by Goal.com

The Argentine was pleased with his side's point, despite falling further behind Barcelona, and says the team are on course to meet the targets they set at the start of the season.

Diego Simeone refused to view Atletico Madrid's goalless La Liga draw against Villarreal in a negative light.

Like city rivals Real Madrid earlier on Sunday at Malaga, Atleti were forced to settle for a share of the spoils and are now eight points behind defending champions Barcelona at the summit with 13 games remaining.

However, speaking at a post-match news conference, Simeone was reluctant to discuss the title prospects of his 2013-14 champions – preferring to focus on maintaining a six-point advantage over their miserly opponents Villarreal, who lie fourth.

The top-three teams in La Liga earn automatic Champions League qualification, while the side in fourth must undergo a preliminary round in Europe's premier club competition.

"If we focus on our objectives, we are on track and it will be very difficult until the end of the season," said Simeone, who will lead Atleti back into Champions League action against PSV on Wednesday before next weekend's Madrid derby.

"Obviously we would have liked to win but the result keeps Villarreal six points behind us. Based on the squad's objectives we set at the start of the season, we are well set to achieve them."