Rayo Vallecano vs Atletico Madrid preview

Posted Sunday, August 24, 2014 by PA

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone accepts it is only fair he is punished for his antics in Friday's Spanish Supercopa victory over Real Madrid.

Simeone is awaiting a decision on his fate from the Spanish Football Federation after he was sent to the stands by the referee in the first half of the game having patted one of the match officials on the head during a heated exchange on the touchline.

The Argentinian publicly apologised after the final whistle, admitting he had made a mistake.

And asked at his press conference ahead of Monday's Primera Division contest at Rayo Vallecano - the opening fixture of Atletico's league title defence - about the matter, Simeone said: "What happened the other day is a closed issue.

"Reiterating and talking about the same thing is not good.

"The people who have to make a decision will do what they believe to be fair.

"When one makes a mistake it's fair to pay for it, and we're waiting to know what we have to pay."

It has been suggested that Simeone could be facing as much as a seven-game ban.

On the prospect of his assistant German Burgos taking his place in the dug-out on Monday, Simeone said: "We'll try to find the best way to communicate.

"German has the capacity and confidence; it gives me peace of mind that we understand football in the same way.

"He will sit on the bench and I will see it from another place."

Atletico have had some significant ins and outs this summer, with the likes of Thibaut Courtois, Filipe Luis and Diego Costa leaving and Mario Mandzukic and Antoine Griezmann coming in.

But Rayo boss Paco Jemez feels Simeone's side are just as strong as they were.

"They are a great team, as they showed again on Friday," Jemez said at his pre-match press conference.

"It is true that they have changed a few players, but those that have come in are very good.

"They always play the same way - I have not noticed any difference."