Diego Simeone has asked his team to display their mental strength as they go to Celta Vigo on Sunday without a win in their last four games.
“I have a very competitive and mentally strong team,” Simeone told his prematch news conference. “We are going to keep competing, as we have been these last six-and-a-half years. Over the season there are different situations. Football is not easy, but we are in this situation now.
“It would really be worrying if we had stopped being ourselves. The year we won La Liga, we lost in Almeria, who were relegated. I did not get carried away when we won in Bilbao, and I did not get too down when we drew in Baku. We must find some stability. We will find the right path.”
Playmaker Koke will not play Sunday’s game with a hamstring strain, while winger Yannick Carrasco also misses the trip due to a knee issue.
“[Koke] still has some issues, so he will rest for this game,” Simeone said. “Yannick will not be with us tomorrow. He has been making a big effort to help the team this season despite his knee. I am happy with his attitude.”
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