"Griezmann's reception? I don't control what people do"

Cholo Simeone spoke in his press conference about one of the top matches of the weekend, a match which will see Antoine Griezmann go back to his old side. 

The Argentinian coach talked about the Frenchman's return to the Wanda: "I'm not going to talk about him because he is another team's player. I already spoke about him and what he brings when he was here. I respect what the fans do because the reception they give him is their decision. It's up to them, I don't control what they do."

"History and numbers speak for themselves. I don't have anything to add about a footballer who is not ours. We are only looking to improve, come close to having more goalscoring opportunities and be better and more aggressive in both areas. That is where games are won and lost.," he said about the Barca striker. 

On the difficulty of beating Barcelona in the league, he explained: "We are working all the time to compete in the best fashion and try and win the match. The opponents have come off the back of a good meeting, playing good football with extraordinary players. We played wel in Turin, hopefully we continue in that vein, but with a different result."

Finally, he confirmed that Joao Felix will start against Leo Messi and co: "He is better. The progression that we were talking about in Granada was a consequence of his form at that moment in time. He has improved. He will probably start. We'll see whether he does so on the flank or together with Alvaro Morata."