Gabi: "We're going to find a very strong opponent"

For the Atletico captain Saturday's game comes as a great opportunity to change the streak and, above all, to climb one position in the standings. "It’s a very long time since we beat them, at the same time, it’s also been a long time since we’ve come up against them in a stuation like this. We can go level on points with Real Madrid. We also play them soon in a final. We are at a very high level and we must seize the opportunities given. We all dreamed of reaching the end of the season level with Madrid," he said.

Real Madrid come off the back of losing to Dortmund and if they want to be in the Champions League final, they will have to come back on home soil. Asked about the interest of the whites in this match, Gabi said "we’re waiting to play Real Madrid. Whichever player plays, we want to win the game. Like for us, second place for them is also important. Nobody expected the result yesterday, but they have class players and know how to overcome it."

Everyone at Atleti are looking forward to the derby and believe that the good work Simeone and his men are doing could be one of the keys to the game. "The team is working hard to be in the situation we are in, the truth is the opponent generates a lot of interest because of the type of the game. For us it is a special game and we really wanted to win", he said.

Any Real Madrid player has the ability to win the game

 The midfielder does not think that Real Madrid will not come to win at the Calderon. "Any Real Madrid player has the ability to win the game. They have players like Ozil and Cristiano who can make the difference. If they do not come and Mourinho believes he doesn’t have to play them, that’s good for us, but it is clear that we will come up against a very strong team."

Barcelona can be crowned champions if they win their game and Atletico Madrid beats Real Madrid. "We just want to beat Madrid. If Barcelona are crowned league champion this weekend it’s because they have earned it. We will think about our game and our goal is to get as high as possible and we have the opportunity to advance a position," he said.

Gabi was happy with the possible participation of Diego Costa after yesterday’s appeal committee withdrew the yellow card he picked up in Seville. "Diego is a very important player. For us he is vital, especially in recent weeks. He has managed to be at his best all the time and is playing very well. For us it is a great joy that we have him at our disposal and we’ll see what the coach decides."

The history and past games do not count. The captain thinks that the time could be right to win thanks to the good work being done in recent weeks. "After all this time it is difficult. We have a very good dynamic. We go in to the game off the back of the win in Seville which was a very difficult game, we’re very focused on our job. How to beat Madrid has been discussed for a long time, now you have to prove it and on Saturday we have a very good chance," he concluded.