Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has hailed the impact of Arda Turan as the playmaker returns to the team for Saturday's Primera Division clash at home to Almeria.
Arda -- along with Koke and Raul Garcia -- was missing from last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Celta Vigo, when Atletico's performance contrasted hugely to that shown in the previous week's 4-0 derbi win against Real Madrid.
And Simeone explained at a news conference that a reason for the setback was because Atletico are not the same team when the Turkey international is unavailable or out of form.
"The other day we were missing Arda and Raul and the absence of Arda is something different," Simeone said. "He is a player who adds pause to our play, who knows when to combine with the defence, the full-backs and the attack. When he is playing well he can tip games in our favour, he is one of the players who can decide games for us."
Atletico also have Wednesday's Champions League last-16 first leg at Bayer Leverkusen looming, but Simeone said he is only thinking about Saturday's clash with in-form Almeria at the Estadio Vicente Calderon.
"We are just thinking about tomorrow's game against Almeria, which is very important to keep on the good run we have been on," he said. "I hope we can respond to how the game shapes up. They are an opponent with a lot of pace in attack.
"I hope we can bring the game to the side which suits us. We are returning to the Calderon, where a fortnight ago we beat Madrid, with our people. Apart from the first half at Vigo, the team is competing well in all competitions. Tomorrow it will be the same."
The Argentine confirmed how seriously he is treating Saturday's game by confirming he would play his strongest possible lineup, with Arda replacing Fernando Torres the only change from last week's game in Vigo. Koke remains sidelined with a hamstring problem, while Raul Garcia will be on the bench.
The Spanish champions are now seven points behind La Liga leaders Madrid, and six behind second-placed Barcelona.
Simeone repeated a claim made regularly through the season that he sees his real rivals as being Valencia and Sevilla in a race to secure a top-four spot and Champions League qualification for next season.
"Things are going as expected," Simeone said. "Valencia have reinforced well and Sevilla are improving very well under [Unai] Emery. I am convinced that this is our fight. The object is the Champions League.
"And our rivals -- Sevilla, Valencia and Villarreal -- could also put themselves in there. They are playing very well, although they now have injury worries. I have no doubt our competition is the same as six months ago -- Sevilla and Valencia."