Diego Simeone: 'Spain backing Atletico Madrid'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 07 May 2014

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone claims that everyone in Spain aside from those connected with Real Madrid or Barcelona want his side to win La Liga this season.

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has claimed everyone in Spain aside from those connected with Real Madrid or Barcelona want the capital outfit to win La Liga this season.

Atletico currently top the table with just two games remaining and victory against Malaga this weekend would leave them needing just a point on the final weekend against Barcelona to secure the crown.

"It's not easy to break the hegemony of two powerful teams and we deserve everything we have on merit," Simeone told Cadena Sur.

"We are trying to show society and clubs elsewhere that if you work continuously you can compete.

"It's new to them that [the League] goes to the final two rounds but I am convinced that whoever wins, the people of Levante or Osasuna see a reflection in Atletico of what they can aspire to be in the future. Today fans of all teams in Spain hope for a positive outlook for us."

The last time a team outside of Real Madrid or Barcelona won La Liga was in 2004, when Rafael Benitez led Valencia to the crown.