Simeone: We give importance to everything that puts the Atletico Madrid shirt at stake LaLiga Santander Assured they will respect the Copa del Rey

Ahead of Atletico Madrid's Copa del Rey game against Girona, Los Rojiblancos coach Diego Simeone has insisted that his team will not underestimate the competition.

The Argentine has admitted that the games against their Catalan opponents have always been very competitive.

"We give importance to the friendlies, the Copa [del Rey], the Champions League and everything that puts the Atletico Madrid shirt at stake," he said in his press conference prior the game.

"We will try to compete with the enthusiasm demanded from a team such as Atletico Madrid and we will select [the players] who we believe can harm Girona.

"It's an important match and we have to compete against a rival who has always made things difficult for us."

Simeone went on to talk about Thomas Lemar's progress.

"He is very important for us and we have to be patient and wait for [him to become] a fundamental player for us," he added.

"[I am] sure that when the season reaches the important peak, we will see the Lemar that we hope [to see] and what he has to offer."

The game against Girona will kick off on Wednesday at 19:30CET.