Football
Adriana Garcia 6y

Atletico Madrid ignoring Europa League favourites tag - Diego Simeone

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone says his team are not paying attention to their status as favourites to win the Europa League.

Atletico play at Lokomotiv Moscow in the second leg of the round of 16 on Thursday, holding a 3-0 advantage from the opening leg.

"We're not thinking about what can happen in the future," Simeone told a news conference. "The aim is the day to day. All the games that we play are important to me. The media and the press can say and write whatever they want but our focus is only on going through to the next round, that's our reality."

Atletico failed to progress past the group stages of the Champions League and had to settle for the Europa League, a tournament they have won twice before in 2010 and 2012.

Atletico are considered the favourites to lift the trophy by the Spanish media.

"With respect to the past, we've grown," Simeone added. "But in order to continue to grow as a club, as we have done in the past six years, we cannot forget what has made us stronger. "We cannot forget our growth or our past if we want to continue to improve."

Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak could feature against Lokomotiv. He missed his team's 3-0 home win over Celta Vigo with a groin injury.

"We will evaluate his condition before the game," Simeone said. "The idea is that if he is fit, he will play."

Atletico are second in La Liga, eight points adrift of leaders Barcelona with 10 games remaining.

The Rojiblancos play at Villarreal on Sunday.

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