Atletico vs Barcelona Coach joked about Barca

With Barcelona having recently expressed outrage at Getafe for keeping the length of the grass on their pitch longer than usual, thereby disrupting the Blaugrana's natural passing game, Atletico Madrid's Diego Simeone joked about the issue ahead of the clash with Ernesto Valverde's table-toppers.

It's Barcelona's first visit to the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano, and undoubtedly their toughest test of the season so far.

"I am not a gardener, I am a coach, and I go to the pitch to prepare the team," he said to reporters at his pre-match press conference.

"When you invite me to your house, I use your tablecloth, your dishes and your glasses."

There's likely to be hardly any away supporters in attendance given the political climate in Spain at the moment, something that the Argentinian didn't want to discuss.

"I will not go into matters more political than sports," he continued.

"I have my thoughts but I will keep them to myself."

Lionel Messi will be facing one of his favourite victims in Atleti, and Simeone is aware of the form that the No.10 is in ahead of the clash.

"I watched the Argentina match," Simeone noted.

"Messi had that night that all Argentines wanted and asked for, and for some who did not believe in him, he proved that he is the best in the world."