Vitolo will be ready for Europa League final, confirms Simeone
The Atlético coach will be able to call on Vitolo for Wednesday's Europa League final clash with Olympique de Marseille in Lyon.
Vitolo will be available for Atlético de Madrid in Wednesday's Europa League final with Olympique de Marseille, coach Diego Simeone confirmed in this afternoon's press conference. The winger had been facing a fitness battle after suffering a hamstring injury in Atleti's surprise 2-0 defeat to Espanyol at the Wanda Metropolitano last weekend. But he is in contention to play in the showpiece in Lyon, though he will not feature in Saturday's LaLiga trip to Getafe; right-back Juanfran has also shaken off a hamstring problem.
Simeone only thinking of Getafe, not Europa League final
Asked if performances in this weekend's fixture will impact his selection for the final, Simeone told a media conference: "I live in the present, just thinking at the game ahead, all of my seventeen players can play, including Victor [Vitolo], who will be available for the final. We know better than anyone else that three minutes in a final can change everything. So we need all of our seventeen players available."
Atleti eyeing second-placed finish
Atlético are three points clear of city rivals Real Madrid in the race for second place behind unbeaten champions Barcelona. Simeone refused to reflect on whether a runners-up finish and the second Europa League trophy of his tenure would serve as a successful season for the Rojiblancos, keeping his focus squarely on neighbours Getafe.
"I have too many things in my head right now, no time to think about that, I choose to focus on tomorrow's game," he added. "I will try to choose the most competitive team, we will play with a strong team that does a great job in defence, a really well-balanced team that is great for counter-attacks."
Nothing we can do - Simeone
The Argentine also would not discuss the potential frustration of having only three days to prepare for Wednesday's big final, adding: "I can't focus on situations like this. I understand that it's almost impossible for the guys who decide this to keep everybody happy, there will always be somebody unhappy, we're okay if they just do things with common sense."