Atletico Madrid one of the top five teams in the world – Lopetegui

Atletico Madrid are one of the five best teams in the world, according to Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui.

Sevilla and Atletico sit level on 20 points – a total matched by Granada and two fewer than LaLiga leaders Barcelona – ahead of their meeting at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Saturday.

Diego Simeone’s side have won just four of their previous 11 matches in all competitions and head into this weekend’s fixture off the back of a 1-1 draw at Deportivo Alaves.

Lopetegui has no doubt about Atleti’s quality, though, and expects them to pose the same challenge they always do.

“Atletico Madrid are one of the five best teams in the world,” the Sevilla boss told a pre-match news conference on Friday.

“I expect a very tough game, as always against Atletico. It will be very complex because of the quality and intensity they put into everything they do.

“Atleti can do many different things and when they press, they do it very well.

“Simeone’s work is beyond doubt. It is unthinkable to be at the level he has been at, and for this length of time. He is doing a fantastic job.”

The final training session ahead of #SevillaFCAtleti
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— Sevilla FC (@SevillaFC_ENG) November 1, 2019

Simeone suggested he could make changes to his Atletico set-up based upon what he has seen from his team in recent weeks.

“We have a broader picture now of what each player gives us,” said Simeone. “The coach ends up executing things based on what the on-field actions say.

“We can’t move away from what the pitch shows. The on-pitch matters show things that we have to follow. It’s what the team needs.

“We’re at a stage where we need to keep improving based on games, work, training and competition. That shows you the reality.”