Diego Simeone has encouraged Atletico Madrid to concentrate on one game at the same time, because they meet several times in the coming six weeks opposite Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Atletico is facing Barca on Tuesday in the Copa del Rey Semi-Final First Been, but is also confronted with them in Laliga before the return setup on 2 April, with a two-legged Champions League last 16 draw against Real Madrid in that period too.
The three clubs are currently locked up in a heated Laala title race, with Barcelona and Real Madrid level at 54 points-the former sitting top because of their record of head-to-head and Atletico One Point behind the third.
The first stage of the semi -final of Copa del Rey takes place in the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Company, with Atletico at home for the second stage.
“The key, the only way, is to watch match-per-match every day,” Simeone told a press conference on Monday.
“We are enthusiastic, we want to compete, look forward to tackling every game in the best possible way and to ensure that we are only focused on [Tuesday’s] game.
“It is a very important match, but it doesn't end [after the first leg]; It is divided into two phases, one on their home field and one on ours. And we take the game where we think we can hurt them. “
Atletico will tackle Barca on Tuesday, two months after their last visit at the end of December, she saw fighting back to beat Hansi Flick's side with 2-1 in an exciting LaLala meeting.
Barcelona had 19 shots and collected 2.72 expected goals (XG) in that loss, with Atletico scored twice from 0.63 XG and only five attempts.
The side of Simeone, however, are the underdogs that go in this draw, whereby the OPTA supercomputer gives them only a 22.5% chance of winning the first stage compared to Barcelona's 53.8% win.
Simeone said his side is ready to suffer in what he expects will be a fight against Laliga's leaders.
“If you are confronted with large teams, you know that you must be willing to resist, to tolerate suffering,” said Simeone.
“There will be good moments for every side, and you have to take advantage of it. It happened in the 1-1 draw against Real Madrid, where there were times when they were better than we were and vice versa.
“We have a concrete idea, and we will work on it with the boys in advance. We will be against an opponent that I really like as they play. They have a big attacking force, and we will want to hurt them where we think we can. “
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