No plans for ‘incredible’ Messi, says Simeone

Atletico Madrid’s Argentine coach Diego Simeone admits that there is ‘no strategy’ that could potentially nullify the threat of Barcelona’s talismanic number 10 Lionel Messi, however he feels that his side can control the game in a way that limited Messi’s influence.

Atletico is one of Messi’s favourite opponents in La Liga as the Argentine has scored 27 times in 35 meetings against the team from Madrid. Messi so far has 31 goals and 16 assists this season and Simeone said: [Messi] is extraordinary form.

"There are no strategies which can control something which is impossible. Many things can happen during a game. We will need to bring the game to where we believe we can do them damage."

Simeone also suggested that in-form striker Anotoine Griezmann needs to be more consistent in order be compared to Messi and Ronaldo. “Messi and Cristiano do not get tired of scoring goals, winning trophies, and that is the objective of those who are pushing up behind these two,” he said.

Simeone reiterated that direct football with quick transitions where they can involve their physically powerful striker Diego Costa could be the key to the match against Barca.

"Costa brings all we expected from him -- ambition, hard work passion and attacking power which gives us more possibilities," he said. "For the ball to reach Costa it must pass through Koke, Griezmann, [Angel] Correa... that makes us more direct. When the team achieve this transition it is dangerous. The [first] goal against Leganes was a ball from Koke, great vision. That is our play."

Atletico face Barcelona at the Camp Nou tonight and have a realistic chance to seriously hurt Barca's La Liga ambitions having already cut the gap at the top to five points.

"We want to reach the last five games of the season with a chance. If we can do that, we will have our possibilities," Simeone said.