Valencia vs Atletico de Madrid preview - Atletico focused on Valencia test

Posted Saturday, April 26, 2014 by PA

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone is leaving all thoughts of the Champions league semi-final second leg with Chelsea to one side for the moment and vowed to field a full-strength team against Valencia.

Unlike his Blues counterpart Jose Mourinho, who has threatened to field a second-string side against Liverpool in preparation for the European clash, Simeone is fully focused on Sunday's game at Mestalla, which is crucial to his team's hopes of winning their first Primera Division title since 1996.

Atletico enjoy a three-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of the table, but if they are to maintain it they must overcome their dire record in Valencia, where they have not won since 2003.

Simeone told a press conference: "It is another final. We have always tried to maintain our competitiveness, regardless of whether we make changes, and this game is no different.

"The only thing I care about at the moment is Valencia, Valencia and Valencia. Then there wil be three days until our next game."

Atleti face a Valencia side also involved in the latter stages of European competition, hosting Sevilla in the return leg of their Europa League semi-final the following Thursday.

While Atleti managed a 0-0 draw with Chelsea, Valencia must overturn a 2-0 deficit to reach the final, but Simeone does not think that will play into his team's hands come Sunday.

"We are preparing for the game expecting Valencia to be at their best, forgetting that they will be focused more on the Europa League," he said.

"All of their players are up to scratch. We know how difficult the game will be and we cannot stray from our path."

Simeone has a full squad to choose from and Arda Turan could make his first league start for almost a month after returning from a muscular injury.

Valencia, meanwhile, will be without left-back Juan Bernat, while captain Ricardo Costa is a doubt. One player who is expected to play is striker Paco Alcacer, who is suspended for the clash with Sevilla.

Valencia boss Juan Antonio Pizzi hinted he would rotate his team, but explained that all of his players were raring to beat Atletico.

"We're going to send out a team that we know will be able to fight against the league leaders," he told reporters.

"Regardless of whether there are changes to the team, everyone we have called into the squad is fit. And despite the number of games we've played, they are desperate to play and compete against the top team in the league."