Atletico Madrid Leaders squad as strong as competitors

Yannick Carrasco extends Atletico Madrid contract

Vietto's rematch

Another eagerly anticipated LaLiga clash comes when Atletico Madrid take on Sevilla, and Diego Simeone is in no doubt how tough an assignment it will be, placing the Andalusians in a quartet of clubs that include Atleti, Barcelona and Real Madrid - as the teams to beat.

It's a match that gives Atleti player Luciano Vietto, on loan at Sevilla, a chance to impress Cholo, something that he spectacularly failed to do last season whilst with the Rojiblancos.

"Sevilla have a clear and courageous idea from their coach to pressure the ball and attack using width, which makes them dangerous," Simeone told reporters gathered for his pre-match press conference.

"This year, they changed players with different profiles and yet their game is still competitive."

On opposite number Jorge Sampaoli, Simeone noted the influence Marcelo Bielsa has on Sevilla's style of play.

"He has a lot of influences .. Bielsa, Bilardo, Basile, Erikson ... We don't have to draw a line and make those Bielsa comparisons though because I've never liked them," he continued.

"Even if something is created that is similar to another, it's never the same."

Clearly the Atleti coach is aware of the threat that the Andalusians pose too.

"I imagine a game with them pushing us whilst we're trying to get out.

"Nasri and Vitolo are amazing, Vietto gives them speed ... they are a team with a serious chance to fight for the title."

On Yannick Carrasco's renewal, Simeone was effusive in his praise for the Belgian.

"He's still growing but the renewal is a prize for his work," he noted.

"It makes us happy because the club continues to work accordingly for the future and present with young people.

"His contributions are more regular and he has continuous intensity for 90 minutes.

"Tactically he's improved a lot, and with much more mobility and that makes it much more difficult to score for opponents.

"He's a rough diamond that still needs to be polished though."