Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone insists his side will be holding nothing back as they seek to retain La Liga’s top spot in Sunday's trip to Valencia.
The game comes sandwiched between Atletico’s Champions league semi-final meeting with Chelsea, with the return leg at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night following a midweek goalless draw at the Vicente Calderon.
But Simeone says thoughts of European glory will be temporarily erased from his players’ minds as they face a Valencia team who are also in the middle of a European semi-final, having suffered a 2-0 defeat in the first leg of their all-Spanish Europa League clash against Sevilla on Thursday.
Simeone, who has named a full-strength squad for the trip to the Mestalla, said: “The only thing I’m worried about is Valencia, Valencia and Valencia.
“At this time we can only think of the game that lies ahead of us. We know the difficulty of the game and we cannot leave our path.
“We’re preparing for Sunday and then afterwards we’ll think about the next one. At this stage it isn’t difficult to motivate the players.”
Simeone’s side need just three more victories to clinch the title, which could be secured within two weeks if they can gain three points against Valencia and then secure further wins against Levante and Malaga.
That would spare Atletico the prospect of needing a result when they travel to Barcelona’s Nou Camp on the final day of the season on May 18, but Simeone – who has maintained a ‘one game at a time’ approach throughout the season is refusing to think that far ahead.
“We have to be careful,” he said. “We have to remember we are up against rivals who are strong, dangerous and could win all of their remaining games.
“We mustn’t pressurise ourselves and we must not get ahead of ourselves.”
One player likely to feature from the start is Turkish winger Arda Turan, who is being eased back into action after recovering from a groin injury.
Turan has consistently been one of Atletico’s most reliable creative forces, and Simeone acknowledged his significance over the next few weeks.
“He is a player who can give us possession of the ball and the capability of interpreting the rhythm of the game. On his top form, he is one of the best. He is an important player.”
