Diego Simeone has acknowledged he recently met Juventus star Paulo Dybala, but refuted rumours Atletico Madrid want to sign the Argentina international.
Having been left out of Argentina s squad for the friendlies with Italy and Spain, Dybala who has been linked with a move to Atleti as a replacement for the reportedly Barcelona-bound Antoine Griezmann was spotted with Simeone at a restaurant in Madrid during the international break.
Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri has since laughed off speculation that the meeting indicated the 24-year-old would soon be moving to the Wanda Metropolitano, and Simeone was quick to clarify the circumstances of his encounter with Dybala.
It is a pity that there are times when the information is not good, Simeone told reporters at his pre-match press conference ahead of Atleti s clash with Deportivo La Coruna.
You do not have images and you get confused. I met him, we chatted, I told him what I thought of him, since he is a great player.
I dined alone, I did it with friends, and there was no more.
There are people, there are journalists, they do it well, others badly. The world depends on information and I am happy that good information is given.
Final session before tomorrow’s !
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish)
Two defeats in their last three LaLiga matches have all but ended Atleti s title challenge, with Barcelona now 11 points clear at the top, while local rivals Real Madrid sit four points behind Simeone s side.
And the Argentine was adamant that Atleti will have to be at their best on Sunday to see off a Deportivo side scrapping for survival, backing coach Clarence Seedorf to have success in management.
They have a good coach, with great charisma, and the team has deserved to win several games. I always have a great memory of the clashes with Seedorf, I predict the successes as a coach he had as a player, Simeone added.
We re going to face a team that need to win, such a team is very dangerous. We want to maintain our good form, despite the result against Villarreal.
