Sporting de Gijon vs Atletico de Madrid - Diego Simeone focused on Sporting Gijon

Posted Saturday, March 19, 2016 by PA

Diego Simeone remains fully focused on Sporting Gijon despite his Atletico Madrid side drawing Barcelona in the Champions League.

Atletico, who needed a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory this week to see off the challenge of Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven following two goalless legs, were paired with their Spanish rivals in the quarter-final draw on Friday.

Atletico faced Barcelona at the same stage of the 2013/14 competition, winning 1-0 at home after a 1-1 away draw to progress en route to the final in Lisbon, where they lost as city rivals Real secured 'La Decima'.

However, Barcelona, the five-time champions and holders who comfortably defeated Arsenal in the last 16, have won their last six meetings with Atletico. The first leg will be played at the Nou Camp, with the return at the Vicente Calderon.

Before all that though, Simeone's side travel to struggling Sporting in La Liga and the Argentine told his club's official website: "The truth is we are thinking about Sporting.

"We have heard about the draw. It is a serious opponent, probably the best in the world, and what could be better for us than to play the best in the world. The truth is that it makes me very excited."

Simeone admits it is a slight concern that Atletico had to play extra-time in the week against PSV and he is not taking the challenge of Sporting lightly despite them being second from bottom of the table.

"We are going to continue with the recovery. It is clear that 120 minutes are going to show and we hope to choose in the best way, depending on how we see the players," said Simeon.

"We are facing an opponent with many needs, with the support of its fans and, obviously with the great job they have been doing this season.

"There are some results that have not benefited them but the great work of the coach and the guys, who are very young, show they are very competitive."

Despite Sporting's plight at the wrong end of the table, midfielder Omar Mascarell - formerly of Derby and on loan from Real Madrid - has called on his team-mates to remain upbeat.

He told his club's official website: "This is no time for pessimism. We still have nine finals. We have deserved more reward than we have obtained."

Asked if the match was a derby for him because of his ties to Real, Mascarell added: "It's clear that I'm Real Madrid, although my thoughts are now with Sporting. We have to be very concentrated, all united we are stronger."

Victory over PSV came at a cost for Atletico as centre-back Diego Godin sustained a thigh injury and he could miss out on Saturday.