Atletico Madrid vs Deportivo La Coruna - Simeone may ring the changes against Deportivo
Posted Saturday, September 24, 2016 by PA
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has not ruled out ringing the changes for Sunday's visit of Deportivo La Coruna but insists whatever side he sends out will be designed to win the game.
The LaLiga clash against mid-table Depor sits between two of Atletico's toughest fixtures of the entire season, with the Rojiblancos having faced Barcelona at the Nou Camp in midweek before next Wednesday welcoming Bayern Munich to the Vicente Calderon in the Champions League.
Having already secured an impressive 1-1 at Barca, Simeone now has to decide whether to stick with the same starting line-up or to rest some players with one eye on Bayern.
The Argentinian coach was keeping his cards close to his chest at his pre-match press conference, save to say he will be selecting a team with the aim of beating Depor.
He said: "As always, we will go onto pitch thinking who can decide the game in the best way possible.
"From here to Wednesday many things can happen. The intention is to go out onto the pitch with those players who we think can resolve the game and do best."
He added: "The squad is younger than other seasons, (Nicolas) Gaitan and (Kevin) Gameiro have given us experience but we have a very good squad and that strengthens the team."
Atletico started the weekend in fourth place in LaLiga on nine points, four behind leaders Real Madrid.
Last season's Champions League finalists have already been frustrated by teams they would have expected to beat this campaign, being held to draws by newly-promoted sides Alaves and Leganes, and Simeone is braced for another potentially awkward game this weekend.
He said: "I don't know if it was a great result in Barcelona, but it was a good one. We're back at the Calderon now with our fans, we need them. We've got a tough game coming up, and we've had experience of how tough games are against teams who look to keep things tight against us."
Simeone has made one change to the 19-man squad that travelled to Barcelona, with Sime Vrsaljko coming in for Saul Niguez. Miguel Angel Moya, Tiago and Alessio Cerci are still sidelined.
Depor head to the capital having picked up five points from their opening five games, although they are without a win since beating Eibar 2-1 first up.
Atletico are unbeaten in their last 19 league matches at home, winning 15, but Depor goalkeeper German Lux insists the Rojiblancos can be toppled.
He said: "They are difficult to beat, but not impossible. They are very hard working and know what they want to do.
"(But) we won't give up, we want to do our jobs, be intense and not gift them anything."
Depor are missing Joselu, Sidnei and Carles Gil.
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