Despite last Saturday's loss to Levante and the decline in defensive ability, Atletico captain feels ready for Chelsea
Coca, yesterday in concluding training in Bucharest
Photo:
Reuters
Atletico Madrid, which is ranked first in the Spanish league table, has so far gone through a season that exceeds all its expectations.
But it is precisely ahead of the meeting against Chelsea that she arrives when her confidence is far from its peak.
Diego Simeone's team has not been able to keep a clean sheet for seven consecutive games in all competitions - a negative record in the manager's nine years on the lines.
The Colchoneros have conceded ten goals in those seven games, including two in a 2-0 win over Levante over the weekend.
Add to that the fact that tonight they will line up without Shima Versalico, Jose Jimenez, Hector Herrera and Kieran Trifaire and the fact that the game has been moved to Bucharest, there is a sense that the Blues are coming with a certain priority.
Whoever isn’t really excited about Saturday’s loss and Atletico Madrid’s slight decline is its captain, Coca.
"We are really happy to be back in the Champions League. We have not played in the factory since December and we know it will be a very difficult game," said the Spaniard. "Knockout is a matter of life or death. The first game is essential, so we have to do our best to reciprocate With an advantage. "