Barca now a better team with Suarez, Rakitic & Bravo, says Simeone

Who agrees with Diego Simeone? Atletico finished three points ahead of the Catalan club last season but the head coach believes the summer signings of striker Luis Suarez, midfielder Ivan Rakitic and keeper Claudio Bravo make them formidable opponents.


Luis Enrique's side, who are level on 38 points with third-placed Atletico, are still looking for their first league win of 2015 but thrashed Elche 5-0 in the Copa del Rey on Thursday.

There is also unrest in the camp with Lionel Messi thought to be unhappy with elements of the current coaching set-up.

But, ahead of Sunday’s clash between the title rivals, Simeone said: "They are a really competitive team. For me, there isn't one player at Barcelona who you would let have the ball, because they can all play really well. Even the goalkeeper can play.

"Claudio Bravo has been quality, Suarez gives them something different to what they previously had and Rakitic is an important option along with Xavi and Andres Iniesta in the middle.

"Suarez's characteristics are different to the forwards they used to play. When it's Pedro, the team play more diagonals. Suarez is a complete player. He's a player I like a lot for his intensity and his voracity."

While Simeone's champions lost star striker Diego Costa and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in the summer, the coach has recruited former Atleti striker Fernando Torres, 30, on an 18-month loan from AC Milan and has hinted at more transfer dealings in January.

The Argentine said: "I’m open to any other exit or entry. This is football and we know there are needs of the players and the clubs. I always focus on the people who want to be here, that we are excited to share and compete in a team like ours."

Defender Diego Godin, 28, is one player who has been linked with a move away from the Vicente Calderon, but Simeone says the Uruguay international is integral to his team.

"He’s a very difficult player to replace," he said. "His balance in all areas of his life makes him have an important place in the dressing room and in world football. He’s a reference and that’s why we made him into one of the team captains."

Atleti head into Sunday's clash with Barca boosted by a 2-0 win over city rivals Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey in midweek.

Asked if Madrid or Barcelona were stronger, Simeone said: "They're both very important teams, with the best players in the world.

"They have different characteristics, though. One is more vertical - Madrid - and the other - Barca - has much more possession and great individuals in all areas of the pitch."