Diego Simeone gave priority to recovery over meticulous planning prior to the Madrid Derby, although he believes that Atletico Madrid is ready for the collision.
Real Madrid is currently top of Laliga with 49 points, a more than Atletico, who would end the weekend first if they got their rivals better.
The side of Simeone beat Getafe 5-0 in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday to reach the quarterfinals, so that their undefeated line in all competitions was extended to five games.
But with the hope of expanding it in their top-of-the-table collision with Madrid, Simeone said that the focus of Atletico still had to go to Saturday's game.
“We haven't talked about the game yet,” Simeone told a press conference on Friday.
“We have chosen to recover well and tomorrow afternoon we will decide where we will be in the match, knowing that we are confronted with an opponent with great individuals, making them extremely dangerous.
“With all that context, knowing what we are going to face, we are willing to play the game we want to play.”
Recent derby's from Madrid have been tight, with four 1-1 draw and two wins for each side in the competition in the past four years. Atletico grabbed a dramatic late equalizer in the inverted fixture in September thanks to Angel Correa.
However, Madrid has won none of the last four league matches between the teams (D3 L1). Since February 2016 (G6 D2 L4), they have not won competition -Derbies in a row against them.
Atletico, however, has been strong on their travels to the Santiago Bernabeu and collected points in eight of their last 11 matches against Madrid in Laliga (W3 D5 L3), just like many points as in their previous 26 matches against them in the Competition in the competition in the competition (W3 D5 L18).
“We know what we are talking about, a rival who will start strong, very determined,” said Simeone.
“They are very good with and without control the space, and we will have to take the game to where we think we can hurt them.”
Madrid will organize Atletico that comes from a final gasp 3-2 victory over low local rivals Leganes in the quarterfinals of Copa del Rey and a 1-0 competition-lender in Espanyol last weekend, their third of the campaign.
Atletico has won their last three games in all matches, including a 4-1 win in RB Salzburg who helped them to guarantee a top-night finish in the competition phase of the Champions League.
The Argentinian coach added that he had not decided on his line -up for Saturday's game.
“You have to interpret what is the most important thing for the team,” he continued.
“I imagine a competition of 95 or 96 minutes where we should be prepared for everything. Everything has an influence, who starts who is ready.”
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