Villarreal vs Atletico Madrid Preview

Diego Simeone takes charge of his 200th match at the Atletico Madrid helm when the Primera Division champions travel to Villarreal on Wednesday.

Simeone, who celebrated his 45th birthday on Tuesday, was appointed head coach in December 2011 and led Los Rojiblancos to Europa League success during his first season, the Super Cup and Copa del Rey the following term and their first league title since 1996 as well as the Champions League final last year.

The Argentinian is confident his team will continue to move on from last week’s Champions League elimination at the hands of city rivals Real Madrid as they aim to extend their unbeaten run in La Liga to 11 matches.

Atletico bounced back after their European heartbreak with a 3-0 victory over Elche on Saturday to keep the pressure on the top two, Barcelona and Real Madrid, and strengthen their hold on third place.

Simeone told club website clubatleticodemadrid.com: “If Real Madrid and Barcelona get to the (Champions League) final, we would be talking about being in the best league in the world.

“We’re right behind them, bothering them a bit, with humility and always working and competing more to recover fast after the other day’s difficult defeat.”

Simeone was delighted with his side’s character and performance in the weekend game, just three days after their European knockout, and he is hoping they can get a similar result against Europa League contenders Villarreal at El Madrigal.

He added: “What I liked most about the team is the reaction to the hit of the other day and the change from the first to the second half, in which we were more consistent, more intense, more determined.

“This team works and competes very well. I have a lot of men within the team. We will continue competing, no matter what other people think.

“I am very proud of the team that I have because it competes and works. What counts are facts and they are there, to try, once again, to keep us among the top three of the league.”

Marcelino’s hosts sit three places further back in La Liga and occupy the last Europa League spot with a six-point advantage over seventh-placed Malaga.

The Yellow Submarine head into the match on the back of Saturday’s goalless draw against Real Sociedad at the Anoeta and looking to end a nine-match winless streak in all competitions.

The hosts can take confidence from the fact that they edged a 1-0 triumph over Atletico when the sides last met in the league in December, when Luciano Vietto’s late goal earned the three points and inflicted a first home league defeat on Simeone’s side since March 2013.