Simeone on title pressure: There are two monsters below Atletico that want to be where we are

Diego Simeone has admitted that Atletico Madrid are finding it tough maintaining their lead at the top of LaLiga Santander.

Los Rojiblancos were held to a 0-0 draw by Getafe on Saturday night, allowing Real Madrid to gain two points on them. Barcelona also have the chance to cut the gap to four points on Monday.

“It’s normal. We’ve been top for almost the whole season,” Simeone said when asked about the pressure of the title race. “There are still 11 games left to go.

“People were saying Barcelona were bad and look what they did in Paris. They have a new president and excitement is growing.

“Real Madrid always take points from their games. We have our job at hand as we continue down our path.

“We have two monsters below us that want to be where we are.”

After a flat first half display at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, Atletico just couldn’t put their chances away in the second period.

“I’m going off our last four games. We won two and drew two,” Simeone said.

“Today, we had a very good second half and a not-so-good first half.

“We weren’t where we wanted to be. We managed the game very well in the second half in order to score, but we weren’t convincing and it ended up 0-0.

“LaLiga is tough for everyone, as we’ve seen in every game.

“We were keen to win another game and keep the same gap [to Barcelona and Real Madrid] that we have.

“The first half wasn’t good – the play didn’t flow, there weren’t quick transitions, we couldn’t make the most of our pressure.

“The team improved in the second half. We did well 11 against 11 and then with a man up [after Allan Nyom’s red card], we had more chances to score.

“I leave here knowing the team is playing well. We have to be calmer.

“We know that Real Madrid and Barcelona aren’t going to lose until the end of the season.

“The nerves aren’t going away and we just have to get on with it.”

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