Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone said that his objective for the season in La Liga remains to finish third and ensure automatic qualification for next year's Champions League group stages -- and their fight back against Barcelona midweek shows they are capable of doing that.
After an up-and-down season and draws in their last two La Liga games, Atletico are currently fourth in the table, six points behind Sevilla and Barcelona who are currently in joint second, with leaders Real Madrid a further four points clear with a game in hand.
The table and recent form suggests that Simeone's side are more in danger of being caught by challengers Real Sociedad, Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao coming from behind, with a possibility of no Champions League football when they move into their new Wanda Metropolitano stadium next season.
The Colchoneros coach told a news conference that during his time at the club getting into third spot and ensuring UCL football had always been the primary aim.
"Our objective is to get into the Champions League, and to aim for the third spot as we have been doing through these years," Simeone said.
"It is clear that we are behind Sevilla and Barcelona, who are doing very well. Our path will be to continue like we played the second half the other day, and in spells in other games recently. We want that consistency so we feel more comfortable in each game."
Atletico were completely overrun by Barcelona during Wednesday's Copa del Rey semifinal second leg at the Calderon and conceded goals to Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi.
But they turned things down after half-time, got one back through Antoine Griezmann, and had many chances to at least equalise by the end.
"The other day was a very clear example of what has happened to us so far this season. You saw the two totally different faces of the team," Simeone said. "We are all working hard to more regularly find that intensity, valour, winning personal battles, getting people into the opposition half, get away from their pressing, and good movement up front so that the midfielders can have a vision of the play. I hope that repeats itself again."
FOTOGALERÍA 📸
¡El equipo ya prepara el #AtletiLeganés! 💪
➡️ https://t.co/vo38DDm1wF #AúpaAtleti ❗️ pic.twitter.com/8vbqqr3UfQ- Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) February 2, 2017
Simeone said he expected a tough test on Saturday from neighbours Leganes, who drew with Atletico back in August, but have won just one of their last 12 games in La Liga to slip towards a relegation battle.
"Leganes are a good team, can play in different formations," he said. "They have lots of pace up front. In all games they have competed well, had their moments.
"We hope to continue our line from second half the other day, and bring game to place where we feel most comfortable."
With Jan Oblak, Augusto Fernandez, Tiago and Jose Maria Gimenez all still injured and unavailable, Simeone was asked if forgotten man Alessio Cerci might be involved in the match squad on Saturday.
"Cerci has been working with the squad for a while," he said. "He is trying to improve. All our players in the group, who can help us, will be taken into account."