Football player Athletics is a prestigious "occupation" in the world of sports today.
Our Stefan Savić is among the 22 players who reached the semi-finals of the Champions League and five rounds before the end of Primera, they are fighting for the title.
"It's a wonderful feeling to be a part of this team and club. I was privileged to become a part of Athletics and when I came to Madrid, and only now I feel indescribably good to be where I am," Savić told "Vijesti".
Atlético is a few years back, actually since the arrival of Diego Simeone, a team and a club that is talked about as a synonym for success.
In Spain, Atlético is fighting with the giants, Real and Barcelona. He defeats them, makes their life miserable, disrupts their plans...
The Colcconeros crushed Barcelona's goal of becoming the first team to defend their Champions League title in the Champions League quarter-finals last week.
"Of course we were not happy that we drew Barcelona in the draw. At that moment it seemed that they could not be beaten. But we at Atlético believe in what we do and how we prepare. We give everything we can in every game. That's how it was and against Barca. There is no secret or special plan. Simply, we play the best we can and the best we know. Fortunately, that was enough for the final victory," says Savić.
For the second time in the last two years, Atlético stopped Barca's European journey...
"It is difficult to describe the atmosphere in the stadium during and after the match. You have to experience it. The fans gave us enormous energy and great love from the stands. We will never forget that night at the "Calderon", says Savić, who came into the game against Barcelona. in the finish, for the first time after almost two months, which he missed due to injury.
In the Champions League, the next rival is Bayern...
"We saw off the draw, and that's it. We didn't talk about Bayern, except in general. So, a big team, a big club, great players. We didn't have any special wishes in the semi-finals, because before the quarter-finals we said - just not Barcelona. Anyway, there's no place in the semi-finals desirable and undesirable, I am sure that Bayern is not comfortable playing with Atlético," the 25-year-old defender points out.
Bayern is not on the agenda, because Diego Simeone's motto is one game at a time.
"We have a complicated match with Atlético Bilbao tonight. It may be a key match in the finish of the championship and we are focused as much as possible on that visit. This is how we operate the whole season. The topic is only the first next match. That is why we have reached where we are," says Savić. .
Atlético enters the last five rounds of the championship level on points with Barça at the top of Primera, and with a point advantage over Real.
Considering that the Catalans are in decline, and that the city rival, however, is lagging behind, talk about the title cannot be avoided.
"The goal was to secure a place in the Champions League, and mathematically we did that. Now we play for glory. We don't want to be satisfied. We are close to the trophy, but also far away. In any case, before all the players of Atlético are the most important seven, and I believe that there will be eight games in his career," concludes Savić.
City and Atlético - there are a lot of similarities
For the second time in his career, Stefan Savić enters the photo-finish fight for the title.
Four years ago, his Manchester City overtook Manchester United in the Premier League in a dramatic finish.
"There are similarities. City had an eight-point advantage at one point, then United escaped to plus eight, and in the end we took the title. We reached a double-digit gap behind Barcelona, took advantage of their drop in form, and why not believe in the title. But, step by step. Bilbao first," emphasized Savić.
For Simeone, we are all the same, every player feels like they are key
Savić was the starter against Granada on Sunday, playing the entire match after a long break due to injury.
For the seventh time in the season, our national team player played all 90 minutes, and Atletico have not yet conceded a goal with him in Primera!
"Such statistics are pleasing, I'm sure that the coach follows them," says Savić with a smile.
He says, however, that he does not yet know if he will be in the starting line-up tonight in the Basque Country, and points out that Simeone is not exaggerating when he says that all the players, all the people in the club and the fans are equally responsible for all the successes...
"He really has such an approach, he approaches each of us with the utmost respect and we all feel like key players. That's why it doesn't matter who is in the team, we're all fully prepared and motivated," Savić points out.
Who with whom in the race for the title
Five rounds before the end, it's a real "madness" in Primera - Barca and Atlético are tied at the top, with a better score between the Catalans, while Real is a point behind.
Here are their rivals in the title race:
Barcelona (76): Deportivo (away), Sporting Gijon (home), Betis (away), Espanyol (home), Granada (away);
Atletico (76): Athletic Bilbao (away), Malaga (home), Rajo Vallecano (home), Levante (away), Celta (home);
Real (75): Villarreal (home), Rayo Vallecano (away), Real Sociedad (away), Valencia (home), Deportivo (away).
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