Celta Vigo vs Atletico de Madrid preview - Atletico rewrite Real result

Posted Saturday, February 14, 2015 by PA

Atletico Madrid have been preparing for Sunday's trip to Celta Vigo in the mindset they lost last weekend's derby against Real, according to defender Joao Miranda.

Diego Simeone's side continued their impressive La Liga form with a resounding 4-0 victory over their fierce city rivals at the Vicente Calderon.

Third-placed Atletico are now just four points behind leaders Real and three off Barcelona.

Brazilian centre-back Miranda, though, maintains the squad have not let the triumph deflect focus ahead of Sunday's visit to Balaidos

"If you see us practice, it seems as if we lost," Miranda said at a press conference.

"We are going to work and maintain the intensity because to win matches, we need to play from the first minute to the last."

The centre-back is expecting a tough test against Celta Vigo, who have recovered form in recent weeks with four points from the past two league matches including salvaging a late 1-1 draw away to Real Sociedad.

"Out next rival is Celta, a great adversary. We need to keep on this path, win and earn the three points," he said.

Miranda has been linked with a transfer away from the club in the summer, but will not let those rumours impact his game.

He added: "Only I can speak my mind, and that is Atletico Madrid. I have a contract here, I am enjoying it and playing the best possible way."

The victory over Real came at a cost, however, with it confirmed this week that midfielder Koke had suffered a grade II hamstring tear and faces an extended spell on the sidelines.

Atletico will be looking to defend their fine record at Celta Vigo, where Los Colchoneros have not lost since November 2005 and won their four previous visits.

Argentinian forward Joaquin Larrivey is confident Celta Vigo can emulate the performance which earned them a 2-2 draw at Atletico earlier in the campaign.

"We have to have a very high level of intensity and we have our weapons to attack them, as demonstrated in the Vicente Calderon," said Larrivey.

"We know that every game is a new story, but our benchmark is that, we made a great game there and on Sunday we will try to repeat it.

"We were 10 games without a win and we have now got two positive results."

Celta Vigo coach Eduardo Berizzo will serve out a two match touchline ban on Sunday.