Diego Simeone: Atletico Madrid can cope with the loss of Diego Godin

Atleti continue to battle for both domestic and Uefa Champions League success.

Atletico Madrid's Uruguayan defender Diego Godin lies on the pitch after being injured. EPA/Luis Tejido

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone believes his squad can cope with the loss of defender Diego Godin as they continue to battle for both domestic and European success.

Uruguay centre-back Godin suffered what the club have labelled a “grade I-II” thigh muscle injury during the 1-0 win at Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday night.

The problem has ruled Godin out of Saturday’s La Liga home game with Malaga and he is also expected to miss the Champions League semi-final first leg against Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

Atletico trail Primera Liga leaders Barcelona on head-to-head results going into the final four matches of the domestic campaign, so even winning each of those may not be enough to secure the title.

Simeone feels the players have the strength of character needed to come through a testing run, even without the leadership of Godin in the backline.

“Without Godin we lose authority. He is a really important man within the group, but at the same we have players who are doing well, and (Jose Maria) Gimenez is back with us (after injury),” Simeone said at a press conference.

“We hope to have [Godin] back as soon as possible, and in the best way.

“For now there are other players who are doing very well.

“This campaign is better than the previous season by the number of points, but there remains much still to play for.

“At this point [of the campaign], all the rivals will make things difficult for us

“Talking about what might happen would not be good because we do not know where we will end this season.”

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Malaga may be safe in mid-table, but Simeone is not expecting Javi Gracia’s side to just roll over when they come to the Estadio Vicente Calderon.

“To play against Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico, who are fighting for the title, is a good shop window for a player even if they have nothing on the line,” said Simeone, whose men are only a point ahead of city rivals Real Madrid after the leading sides all secured midweek victories.

“Footballers always want to play well as they know many people are watching.

“Gracia is a coach who always sets out well in games. I think this will be a close one.

“Malaga compete very well, they concede few goals, though it’s true that they haven’t scored many.

“It is a very important game for us, in a nice end to the season. We must be prepared and just for this game.”

Gracia is certainly determined his team will end the campaign in a positive mindset.

“We are looking at results and if we had just 37 or 38 points at this time, we’d have a much greater necessity than we have now, but we always have the need to do things right, because of our pride, our professionalism and for what’s at stake,” the Malaga coach said, quoted on the club’s official website.

“We don’t want to stay where we are, we want to improve our scoring records, points, place in the rankings and aim for the best.”

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