Overview
- Diego Simeone, speaking before Atlético’s trip to Osasuna, called Barcelona the world’s best after they sealed La Liga with a 2-0 win over Real Madrid.
- He stressed that Atlético eliminated Barcelona in both the Copa del Rey semi-final and the Champions League quarter-final, advancing 4-3 and 3-2 on aggregate.
- The rivals met six times across La Liga, the domestic cup, and Europe this season, and Barcelona won both league meetings.
- On injuries, Simeone said defender José María Giménez has only a sprained ankle and voiced hope the Uruguay center-back will be ready for the World Cup.
- In the table, Atlético sit six points behind Villarreal with three matches left, and Simeone said homegrown players are likely to see minutes in the run-in.