Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has had to fend off questions about leaving the Spanish club in order to join a top club like Manchester City.
After managing to make the perennial underdogs as the champions of Spain, Simeone has seen in recent weeks that it is looking unlikely that they will be able to retain the title. Atletico have done extremely well since the Argentine came to the club in 2011. However, there is a feeling in Spain that he may have reached his best with the club and that it is time to seek new challenges.
Simeone dispel those rumours by saying that he was not going anywhere. This has hampered preparations ahead of the match with Malaga during the weekend. Simeone has had two weeks to allow the defeat against Real Sociedad sink in. Atletico’s surprise defeat against the relegation threatened outfit means that they are now four points away from the top of the table. Atletico have struggled this campaign after losing a number of first-team regulars like Diego Costa and Filipe Luis over the summer. They still have quality names like Garcia andKoke, but it has not been enough to find a way past the tougher Spanish opposition.
Simeone is aware that anymore dropped points could spell the end of the title.”We have no room for error, we must treat the game like a final.They have been doing well for a while. We can see their results and we also know they stopped Barcelona playing well [in a 0-0 draw in September]. They have a very strong offensive unit, much technical ability and experience on the pitch,” said the Argentine ahead of the match with Malaga, who are just two points behind them in the table. Atletico could realistically go second this weekend if results go their way.