Atletico de Madrid midfielder Mario Suarez has said Real Madrid are still one of the strongest sides in the world and that his team will have to be at their best to beat them this weekend.
Los Blancos and Los Colchoneros go head-to-head for the third time already this season on Saturday in the first La Liga clash following the international break.
Diego Simeone’s side already have the upper hand on their city rivals having beaten them in the Spanish Supercopa in August. But according to Suarez, that result will make no difference in the league game, and he is expecting another tough match.
While there has also been much debate among the Madridista following over the club’s transfer business, Suarez said Los Blancos are in the enviable position in that they can sell star players and replace them with new world-class players.
Speaking to AS, he said: “Madrid are still playing well. They have lost important players but great players have signed. They can mix direct football with possession football. Against a team like this you can’t make any mistakes.”
And hie continued: “For me Xabi Alonso has always been a benchmark, one of the best midfielders in the world. They have bought Toni Kroos, who is a great player. They’re both very good. Angel di Maria is gone, but James Rodriguez is there. That’s Madrid’s advantage, they’ve been weakened but they keep fighting for everything.”
