Atlético can challenge for LaLiga, Champions League – Morata

Álvaro Morata has stated this season “feels and smells different” at Atlético Madrid as they challenge for the LaLiga title, forward of their conflict with champions Barcelona on Sunday.

Atlético go into the excessive-profile sport in type — having gained eight of their final 9 league video games — simply 4 factors behind Real Madrid and Girona on the high of the desk and stage with Barça, with a sport in hand.

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They confirmed their qualification for the Champions League spherical-of-16 with a 3-1 win away at Feyenoord on Tuesday.

“In the dressing room there are good vibes, a good atmosphere,” Morata advised ESPN.

“We feel like we can have a different year, we can fight for everything. It’s what we need to do. We’re Atlético and we need to always fight for every title. But this year feels and smells different.

“Sometimes, in some seasons, you can really feel small variations between the starters and the gamers on the bench. But this 12 months we’re all collectively, we’re tight, we’re working arduous and having fun with each sport.”

Atlético’s strong start to the season has been helped by the form of Morata and strike partner Antoine Griezmann, who have scored 12 and 13 goals respectively in all competitions.

“We hope [we can win LaLiga],” Morata told ESPN. “This weekend we’ve got a brand new alternative, towards the most effective groups on this planet. I feel they’re going to be excited about this sport. We’re harmful now, if we’re all collectively we’re a high crew.”

Griezmann — who left Atletico for Barça in 2019 before returning in 2021 — is now just two goals behind Luis Aragonés as Atlético’s all-time top scorer.

“Time will inform if I’m a legend, if I keep in folks’s minds for years, the best way Luis Aragonés has,” Griezmann told ESPN.

“Let’s hope so, as a result of he is somebody crucial within the historical past of the membership. I hope I can attain that stage, or perhaps the following one down.”

Sunday’s game at Montjuic will see Atlético face former teammate João Félix, who joined Barcelona on loan in September, and has since suggested that he didn’t feel comfortable with Atlético’s style under coach Diego Simeone.

“We do not take into consideration [João Felix’s comments] a lot, and we do not speak about it within the dressing room,” Griezmann said. “He’s a Barcelona participant and we want him one of the best, besides on Sunday. In the top, everybody does what they need and what they assume. It is not for us to inform him what he ought to do. He’s sufficiently old.”

“Some gamers do not feel snug working extra when it is time to defend, João for instance,” defender José Giménez advised ESPN.

“I like our type, it is about defensive sacrifice. Maybe he would not like that. He likes to be extra attacking and pay much less consideration to the defence. It does not imply it is dangerous, it does not imply it offends us, it is a perspective. That’s why he selected Barcelona, and we’re right here. I’m positive he did not say it with any unwell-will.”

Barça forward Robert Lewandowski has come under pressure this season for his lack of form, finding the net in just one of his last nine club games.

“I’m an enormous fan [of Lewandowski],” Morata told ESPN. “I hope he would not see this interview earlier than the sport, for his confidence! I’ve huge respect for him.

“When I started my career, for me with Luis Suárez and Benzema, they’re the fantastic three for me in the last ten years. After that, Harry Kane has become one of the best, but I’ve always loved to see Lewandowski play.”