Simeone urges Atletico to enhance purpose menace all around the pitch

Diego Simeone says Atletico Madrid want targets from all areas of the pitch in the event that they wish to preserve their LaLiga title cost alive.

Atletico are winless of their final LaLiga two video games, having suffered a shock defeat to Leganes earlier than having to come back from behind to salvage a draw with Villarreal final day out.

It has seen them drop to second within the desk, 4 factors behind Actual Madrid, with Actual Mallorca subsequent up within the Spanish top-flight.

Atletico Madrid have gained their final 4 video games towards Mallorca in LaLiga, holding a clear sheet in every of the final three. They’ve by no means registered 4 consecutive shutouts towards the Balearic membership within the competitors earlier than.

“We’d like targets in all sides of the sport. To not point out the defenders too, particularly from set items,” Simeone informed reporters.

“We have to work, create conditions comparable to people who could come up in matches in order that, after repetition, the calmness to resolve purpose conditions seems.”

Mallorca. pic.twitter.com/WvZ7j64NMg

— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) January 31, 2025

Simeone will handle his five hundredth LaLiga match at Atletico Madrid on Saturday (W305 D112 L82). He’s the eighth coach to succeed in this determine within the historical past of the competitors, and the primary to take action with a single membership.

He’s decided to get their league type again on observe, having sealed computerized qualification for the Champions League final 16 with their 4-1 win over RB Salzburg on Wednesday.

“We take it one sport at a time, understanding the wants of our opponents and our personal,” he mentioned.

“I think about that our opponents will play in 5-4-1 with [Vedat] Muriqi or [Cyle] Larin, benefiting from their aerial play and counterattacks.”

Antoine Griezmann has been concerned in 5 targets in his final eight LaLiga video games towards Mallorca (two targets and three assists), after failing to take action in any of his first six LaLiga video games towards them.

Alexander Sorloth, who has scored eight league targets in 18 video games, missed three video games in all competitions earlier than coming off the bench within the second half towards Salzburg.

The 29-year-old will likely be obtainable towards Mallorca however Simeone remained tight-lipped on his beginning line-up.

“He already had 35 minutes the opposite day to really feel a part of the workforce once more after his quick harm. We’ll see who begins tomorrow, [Angel] Correa is okay, Griezmann, Sorloth is raring…,” Simeone added.

Defender Cesar Azpilicueta may substitute Javi Galan, who sprained his ankle within the Champions League conflict towards Bayer Leverkusen after Simeone mentioned Atletico “want him and hope he can all the time be obtainable.”