Lionel Messi holds no fear for Diego Simeone ahead of Barcelona test as Atletico get fitness boost

Diego Simeone is already the longest serving manager in LaLiga
EPA
Ben Hayward5 April 2019

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone claims he is "optimistic" about beating Barcelona in LaLiga for the first time and says he does not fear Lionel Messi.

The Rojiblancos drew 1-1 at Camp Nou in a title decider in 2013-14 and have come out on top in two Champions League knockout ties against Barca, but Simeone is yet to taste victory over the Blaugrana in La Liga.

"The fact we have never won, that makes me more optimistic," Simeone said in the pre-match press conference ahead of the teams' meeting at Camp Nou on Saturday.

Atletico are eight points behind Barca in second place with eight games remaining in La Liga this season and Simeone's side will surely need to win to have any chance of claiming the title next month.

"The only situation which will bring us closer to having the opportunity [of winning La Liga] is by winning tomorrow," the Argentine said.

"It makes me feel really good that Barcelona feel we are their main challengers in recent years. That shows the great performance of our players."

When Atletico won LaLiga in 2013-14 and also knocked Barca out of the Champions League that season, Simeone's side stopped Messi from scoring in all of the teams' six meetings, although the five-time Ballon d'Or winner saw a strike incorrectly ruled out in the title decider.

Messi was also the difference in last season's corresponding fixture with a fabulous free-kick in a 1-0 win.

A Lionel Messi free-kick saw Barca beat Atleti at Camp Nou last season.
AFP/Getty Images

Asked how much he feared his compatriot, Simeone said: "The word is not fear, but respect. He is pure quality. There are moments when precision rises and that is what is happening with Messi."

Strikers Alvaro Morata and Diego Costa both trained with Atletico on Friday and are in contention for a place in the side at Camp Nou on Saturday.

Morata suffered a slight groin strain against Girona on Tuesday, while Costa picked up a hamstring problem in the weekend game at Alaves.

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