Atletico Madrid will face Las Palmas at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday but Diego Simeone’s mind was still on his three game touchline ban for the Copa del Rey, handed out on Friday.
Simeone was dismissed from the sideline in the defeat to Sevilla in midweek and yet the Argentinean coach appeared to agree with the decision.
“There’s nothing to complain about, the committee and the referees know what they’re doing, they handle everyone the same and if that’s how it is, it seems correct to me,” he said.
“I don’t have anything to say, these are situations in the game. They can send you off and the committee acts accordingly on bad behaviour.”
He also revealed that two players are close to an exit.
“The club are working to close the squad in January as best as possible,” said Simeone.
“Augusto [Fernandez] has a possibility and it’s a good one, I will be happy for him because he’s always given his all when he’s been here. When a footballer has given their life for us I will be the first to open the door.
“[Nico] Gaitan is waiting to see what happens, after January if he stays with us then it will be another player and if he goes then the club knows the situation.”
Atletico have made two signings this month, but neither Diego Costa nor Vitolo have got fully going as they build up fitness.
“[Costa] is better, he trained well yesterday and quite well today, he won’t be in the squad but he’s recovering well from his injury,” added the coach.
“[Vitolo] has just arrived, he played against Lleida, Girona and the first half against Sevilla, it’s not that he hasn’t played.
“He is improving, he’s adapting little by little and we demand a lot from his play and his talent and that he helps the team.
“As time goes on he will get minutes and he will have to take advantage given that getting into the team is hard with [Yannick] Carrasco, [Angel] Correa, Koke and him.
“He can show that he is what the team needs and then he will get more minutes.”
