Simeone, Koke Comments After Sevilla Draw Not Reflective of Atletico Madrid Aims

Atletico Madrid surrendered top spot in La Liga over the weekend after they were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Sevilla, with Barcelona moving into first place thanks to a 2-1 win at Malaga. It leaves the two sides level on points at the top, but the Catalan club have a further match in hand.

With both clubs due to face off next week at the Camp Nou in La Liga, following midweek involvement in the Copa del Rey, it arguably suits the status and mentality of Atleti to be chasers rather than chased in the title race—and both manager and key player were eager to play down any disappointment after the draw.

Diego Simeone and Koke both reiterated that Los Rojiblancos are fighting for third, not first, but ahead of a potential title-defining showdown, the suspicion must be that this is the public face the club wishes to show, not an actual admission that the squad is more than capable of going on to win the title in Spain this season.

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. @Simeone: “We tried to play in the rival’s field and we both sides had scoring chances." #AtletiSevilla #GoAtleti pic.twitter.com/E4dboZ1cMK

— Atleti English (@atletienglish) January 24, 2016"

Third?

The boss was impressed with his team against Sevilla and noted an all-round display, but subtly noted Sevilla as a team rival, not Real Madrid or Barcelona. Per Marca:

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It was quite a clear-cut game for us. We had scoring chances in both halves. Griezmann and Carrasco had really good ones. The team worked very well. We put pressure on in every way and from all kinds of positions, but the goal didn't come....today we weren't lucky enough to get a goal. We put in a complete performance, except for in front of goal. [Sevilla,] a rival in the battle for third place in the league [stay the same points behind us with the draw].

"

Key midfielder Koke largely echoed those sentiments, citing the party line of "our objective is to be third, as we've said from the start," again per Marca.

JAVIER SORIANO/Getty Images

Given their tremendous and relentless ability to take wins even without playing on top of their game over the first half of the season, Atletico have to be viewed seriously as a major contender to the title. Third place might be acceptable in a league where two of the world's biggest clubs compete, but it certainly won't be the ambition being spoken about inside the dressing room.

Having been top for some weeks, and second even now, does anybody really imagine that characters with the winning mentality of Simeone, Diego Godin or Gabi are talking about dropping one place more to achieve their seasonal objectives?

First?

Nothing will be decided, but a lot could be pointed toward, when Atleti face Barca at the Camp Nou in Jornada 22.

The obvious scenario of a home win would put the title chase firmly in Barcelona's hands: They'd be six points clear of Atleti if they win their game in hand as well as this tussle at the top. An Atletico win, however, changes the complexion of the title race.

Earlier in the season, Barcelona came from behind to eventually take a 2-1 win over a resolute, but definitely defensive on the day, Atletico side. The head-to-head ruling in Spain could come into the equation come the end of the campaign, but that's not to say Atletico won't be celebrating even a 1-0 win, of course.

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

They've done it before—Godin's winner to clinch the title at the Camp Nou won't be forgotten quickly—but it's fair to suggest Simeone's team will be relying on their defence much more than their offence to get any kind of positive result in Catalonia.

Angel Correa will be absent through suspension, and he is the only forward other than Antoine Griezmann to hit the back of the net for Los Rojiblancos since Luciano Vietto scored the winner against Benfica in early December, 11 games ago.

A draw wouldn't be the worst result in the world for Atletico—they'll believe their capacity to consistently beat other sides will be worth more in the long run.

Second?

And what, then, of Real Madrid? As things stand, Simeone's side lead Zinedine Zidane's by four points, enough so that even defeat in the Camp Nou won't see Atletico drop down to their "objective" position.

The second Madrid derby of the season takes place in late February, at the Santiago Bernabeu, but the consistency and calm around Atletico is a world away from the atmosphere and expectation of Real. Zidane remains untested against a truly big side and, although he'll face Athletic Club two weeks before the derby, the Atletico fixture will be the first genuine test of how Zidane might adapt his team's game according to the opposition, before kick-off or after.

PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/Getty Images

He may, of course, turn out to be a great to rival Luis Enrique or Simeone himself—but the opposite may yet also be true. Inspiring a team to big victories over mid-table sides is one thing, but facing an established, organised team capable of winning the biggest trophies is another entirely.

As any season goes on, teams' objectives will naturally alter as they reassess form and what they might be able to achieve. Atletico's might well have started as a top-three ambition, but at the very least they should now be looking to finish above Real Madrid—and trying to match Barcelona. Next week is the first chance to do that, regardless of Simeone's public comments.

Follow @karlmatchett