LOPETEGUI: "WE HAVE TO GO OUT THERE WITH CLEAR MINDS AND BELIEVE IN OURSELVES"

Julen Lopetegui spoke to the media ahead of the team's trip to the capital to face Atlético. He began by focusing on how the team are feeling: "They're doing well, they're excited for these two final games, they have so much energy, and they're ambitious and excited about making more history at the club, and we're facing one of the best teams you can find. This Atlético side, especially, are in good form and have a manager beyond any doubt. We have to approach this clash with ambition to play well". The coach then analysed this weekend's opponents: "They're a close-knit team and are one of the best in the world, and they have a magnificent squad with a manager who leads an important project. When they've had bad moments, they bounce back well and they've turned it around because they're a great teams. Aside from that, we're focusing on ourselves. Everything we say about Atlético is too much. We're aware of their level, but also our excitement. We're focused on doing what is needed in the match". 

The objective is close, but the team have to keep going: "Things are never done until they are done. We want to keep making history at the club in this third season. Nothing is easy and we have to earn it on the pitch. There's still work to be done and we have to be able to compete and get what we want at the Wanda". Lopetegui also rejected the idea of any nerves because of the chasing pack, the team are focused on their job: "I don't analyse what isn't under my control. This is just what football is like and what we can do is give the team confidence and create the best possible scenario so they can compete. That's what we've done in the three years we've been here. We have to isolate ourselves from what doesn't help us to develop our profession well. Everything forms part of the context and we have to live with it without losing perspective. That's what we have to try to do. Everything else is just part of football and everyone has their opinion. I give mine about what I can control". 

The coach is not looking backwards: "In the last game, the team had attitude, despite the mistakes that we made. We have to insist on what makes us a better team, refine the rest and continue on our journey. We're facing a great team and we have to go there and compete. We have to go out there with clear minds and believe in ourselves". He also gave very little clues as to injury issues: "We've had a few little problems, we'll have some players back but we'll lose some. We have to wait. Navas has had a knock, he's improved, but nothing will be clear until tomorrow. We have a starting eleven in mind but we won't know for sure until tomorrow". To finish, he spoke about whether this was his most important match at the club: "Every match is of the utmost importance. It's exciting, an opportunity to keep making history and we have to approach it in that way. We've played lots of historic matches in these three years".