Atletico de Madrid vs Malaga preview - Costa in squad for Malaga clash

Posted Saturday, May 10, 2014 by PA

Diego Costa could yet be fit to face Malaga on Sunday as his Atletico Madrid side look to close in on their first Primera Division crown in 18 years.

The striker suffered a hamstring injury in training in midweek and was expected to sit out the match with Bernd Schuster's side to ensure he would be available to face Barcelona the following week and Real Madrid in the Champions League final in a fortnight's time.

However, Costa unexpectedly trained with the rest of his team-mates the day before the match and was named in the squad.

"He is better now, more comfortable," Simeone said of his top-scorer.

"We will do tests on him before the game to see if he is ready."

If Costa does not recover in time, Atletico's attack will be led by David Villa, who has not scored in more than two months, and Raul Garcia.

Centre-back Diego Godin is suspended and Cristian Rodriguez injured, but Juanfran returns from a one match ban.

Atletico's hopes of clinching the title with a game to spare were rocked by their 2-0 defeat at Levante last Sunday, but Real's draw with Real Valladolid on Wednesday means Simeone's side can still win the title this weekend if they beat Malaga and Barcelona fail to win at Elche.

And the coach insisted neither he nor his team would be affected by the occasion.

"There's no pressure, just responsibility," Simeone said.

"This is a wonderful moment. Everyone who works in football wants to get into important situations like this one. Tomorrow there will be a lot of people in the stadium and that will help us face what is a vital game."

Simeone also made it clear he would not be paying any attention to the match between Barcelona and Elche, which kicks off at the same time as Atletico's game with Malaga.

"I don't expect anything, all I know is that we need to win," he said.

"For a very long time our way of playing has been based on collective work and group effort. We have to play without expecting anything, that is the best way to prepare for this moment we are in. The future and destiny will decide what is to come. We have to do what has to be done."

Simeone revealed he had been showing the team videos of their pre-season training last summer to "remind them of the effort it has taken to get to this situation".

"This is a game, and the team that play the best win, but, sooner or later, hard work ends up paying off," he added.

"Things will go more in your favour if you show spirit and desire."