Diego Simeone puts transfer ban to back of his mind ahead of Celta clash

09 September 2016 12:23

Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone insists he is fully focused on Saturday's LaLiga game with Celta Vigo following the confirmation of the club's transfer ban.

Los Rojiblancos - along with city rivals Real - will be unable to sign players for the next two transfer windows after they were punished by FIFA for breaching rules over the transfer of foreign players younger than 18.

The club's appeals were rejected by world football's governing body this week but Argentinian Simeone wants to concentrate on matters on the field as Atletico go in search of their first win of the season following disappointing draws with Alaves and Leganes.

"The club has worked on alternatives in case of a possible sanction and it's difficult to give a decisive opinion on the team now because it's normally assessed at the end of a campaign," he told reporters at his pre-match press conference.

"I'm focused on the sporting aspect only, on Celta.

"We demand results and I will criticise when performances are not to the standard expected and results are poor.

"It will be difficult against an opponent who is intense and has many alternative styles of play."

Unlike Atletico's slow start, Real and Barcelona have both begun with back-to-back wins.

They will be confident of continuing their respective winning runs this weekend with Zinedine Zidane's side playing at home to Osasuna on Saturday afternoon before Barca take on Alaves at the Nou Camp later in the day.

Cristiano Ronaldo is fit again for Real following the injury he picked up in the final of Euro 2016, while the champions welcome back Neymar after his Olympics involvement and could also give a debut to new signing Paco Alcacer.

Coach Luis Enrique believes Barca have a challenging fixture schedule ahead of them and thinks it will be important to have a big squad available.

"In 23 days we have seven games, you have to play it like a game of Tetris," he said at his pre-match press conference.

"You have to decide who you need for each game, who you are playing, what options you have and look at the profiles of the players.

"What does each game demand of us tactically and strategically? The more players that we have that can contribute, the better we will play and the more we will achieve."

Also on Saturday, Las Palmas, who top the table on goal difference following the opening two rounds of matches, travel to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan to face Sevilla, and Malaga host Villarreal.

Real Betis boss Gus Poyet said there are "200,000 things to improve" about his team as they prepare to travel to Valencia on Sunday.

The Uruguayan is yet to win since taking over at the Estadio Benito Villamarin, losing 6-2 at Barcelona before sharing a goalless draw with Deportivo La Coruna ahead of the international break.

Poyet will begin a two-game touchline ban at the Mestalla after abusing an official following the game against Depor.

"(Deportivo) was my first home game, if people want me to lie and say it went well, then look for another manager," Poyet told Marca.

"After the first day we were criticised for losing to Barcelona, but how many teams wouldn't lose there?

"The next game, it was us who forced the game.

"But I am not looking for excuses, there are 200,000 things to improve about the team and that is my job."

Sunday's other stand-out game sees Deportivo host Athletic Bilbao, while Sporting Gijon welcome Leganes and Eibar travel to Granada.

Source: PA-WIRE