Simeone, true to his philosophy: 'We approach every game as if it were a final'

On whether special talks are held with youngsters such as Pablo Barrios before an important match

"In principle, we don't know yet who will start in the middle. Lemar, Pablo, Koke and Kondogbia are working very well. I understand that football is a game that asks you to do what you normally see in training or in previous matches, whether you are 20 or 35. The personality and calmness of each player is based on the confidence that each player has in himself, so there will be no talk if it is his turn to start the game."

A possible turning point against Barcelona

"Every game that I've had the chance to coach Atletico Madrid is an opportunity to be good with each other, with our people, in the championship, in the cup or in whatever we have to play.  Ever since I arrived at the club, I have always felt the illusion that every game is an important moment for everyone."

The option of Atleti saying goodbye to LaLiga with a defeat

"Every day, for the last eleven years, we have approached every game as if it were a final. We will also see it the same way in the next one against Almeria and so on. The reality of football is that there is no match more important than the one you have to play. We play Barcelona, an opponent who are doing very well in LaLiga and who brought the most players to the World Cup. Their coach has clear ideas about the game and they play very well."

Atleti arrive in a moment of positive energy

"Just as negative results bring negative energy, positive ones help the team feel more confident. Tomorrow, Sunday, we're going to try to continue in this vein, knowing the difficulties we'll face and trying to take the game where we think we can do some damage."

How Barca have changed and whether they are worse without Messi

"Wherever Messi is, he will always be a determining factor, whether in the Argentina national team or in his current team, as he always was at Barcelona. It is normal that when there is a player with his characteristics, the possibility of winning is there. When I played in the World Cup with Maradona, there was a feeling as a team-mate that it was very difficult for us to lose because we had the best player. When you have the best, normally the chances of winning are always closer."

Good opportunity for Joao Felix to show what is expected of him.

"I think it's a good opportunity for the team. To keep growing, improving and playing as a team. Also to interpret what we want to bring to the game. Understanding that we can take it where we want to take it to generate the difficulties we need against a team like Barcelona."

On whether this Atletico are closer to Barcelona than they were 10 years ago

"It's a good question because it's very difficult to answer and anything I answer will be used against me. They are different moments and different players, but we have to worry about getting the game out of the way, which is what matters to us."

The possibility of changing the system so as not to get beaten as we did last year

"No, it's clear that they did very well. We started the game well because we started 1-0 up, but then they caused us a lot of damage on the outside with their open wingers. They are players like Raphinha, Dembélé, Ansu Fati, Memphis or whoever they use who are very important in one-on-ones."