Europa League: Athletico to seal place as leaders

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Atletico Madrid hope to continue their record for 15 consecutive victories in Europe and their 20 games unbeaten record as they host Portugese Academica in the UEFA Cup.

Leaders

Atheletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone knows that Thursday’s clash will put them at the top of Group B should they win the encounter. The second place team in the Spanish Premier League has won their last five matches; they are on the same point as Barcelona and they will be hoping to win this one also with a considerable margin. Simeone is familiar with their opponents and plans to take no chances.

-Académica is a team that plays very attacking football and I am sure they will enlist (Salim) Cissé to play on the wings. They are a competitive team and the games we have seen they have demonstrated they are very fast, said the Argentine.

Wary

Academica have not been in the best shape this season, they currently 10^th on the log in the Portugese Premier League and have won three of their last five games. They will have to be wary of prolific Radamel Falcao who Simeone plans to unleash on the Academica boys.

 Diego Simeone may also have the presence Arda Turan who returned injured fron international. The Argentine has said Arda will be important because:

-He is a different player from his teammates. He is a very decisive player going forward. We need him at his best,  the coach said.