Diego Simeone: Atletico must forget derby win and focus on Eintracht Frankfurt

Diego Simeone has urged his Atletico Madrid side to shrug off the memory of Saturday’s 5-2 derby win over city rivals Real and focus on kick-starting their Champions League campaign at home to Eintracht Frankfurt.

Atletico roared back from behind to claim a stunning win but Simone believes it will count for little if they fail to maintain their momentum against the in-form German outfit and grab their first points in the competition.

Simeone told a press conference: “Nobody remembers the previous game when Tuesday’s game starts. In life, what matters is now, because what came before is left behind.

“Obviously we’re trying to continue our upward trajectory. It will depend on humility, faith, hard work and on continuing to seek the positive path for the team that we have.”

Simeone will not be in the dugout for the clash with the Germans having been sent off late in his side’s agonising 3-2 defeat at Liverpool in their opening fixture.

Julian Alvarez is expected to return to Atletico’s starting line-up having missed the Liverpool game with a knee injury, while Antoine Griezmann could drop to the bench.

Frankfurt enter the game on a high after hammering Galatasaray 5-1 in their opening group game, giving them hope of another impressive continental campaign.

Head coach Dino Toppmoller, whose side claimed a crazy 6-4 win at Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday, does not expect any new injury concerns, besides the already-sidelined Rasmus Kristensen.

He said: “Obviously we’re aware they beat Real Madrid 5-2. Atletico have been one of the top teams in Europe for the past decade, perhaps even longer, and they’re always among the candidates to reach the final.”