Diego Simeone played down speculation Julian Alvarez could leave Atletico Madrid, insisting the main focus should be on the fact that the team are competing ahead of facing Getafe.
Following Atletico's thumping 5-2 victory over Tottenham in the Champions League last-16 first leg on Tuesday, Alvarez said that while he was happy in the Spanish capital, he refused to confirm if he would be staying.
The Argentine was decisive in that match, and he has regained his scoring touch in LaLiga in recent weeks as well, helping them on a three-match winning streak.
While Simeone expected to be asked about Alvarez's comments, he insisted it should not draw focus away from their LaLiga outing on Saturday.
"I understand all your questions," Simeone said when asked about Alvarez.
"We beat Club Brugge, and for you, the best player on the pitch was Oblak. The focus was on Oblak making a great save.
"We beat Barcelona, and the headline is that Griezmann might leave. Griezmann is staying with us and will play in the final.
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) March 11, 2026
"We won the other day, and the question is whether Julian might leave or stay. Julian made some appropriate statements. He's giving us a lot.
"I tell our fans that we're doing well… I told them we were going to compete, and we are competing."
Simeone has achieved 21 LaLiga victories against Getafe (26 games, W21 D4 L1), his highest total against a single opponent in the competition.
Atletico are looking for a fourth straight win in LaLiga as they continue their hunt for a top-four place, though they do have a nine-point cushion over fifth-place Real Betis.
Getafe are ninth heading into this weekend, and have won their last two, following up a shock 1-0 win over Real Madrid with a victory over Real Betis last time out.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Atletico Madrid – Antoine Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann has only scored more LaLiga goals against Valencia (14 goals in 27 games) than against Getafe (12 in 28 games).
Only Cristiano Ronaldo (23) and Lionel Messi (15) have scored more goals against the Azulones in the history of the competition (David Villa also has 12).
Getafe – Martin Satriano
Martin Satriano has scored three goals in his last four LaLiga matches.
That is one more than he managed in his previous 25 appearances across the Spanish top-flight (four) and Ligue 1 (two goals in 21 games).
¡Los nuestros para el #AtletiGetafe! 💪⚔️#ConvoGTF pic.twitter.com/z8KasTO9O3
— Getafe C.F. (@GetafeCF) March 13, 2026
MATCH PREDICTION: ATLETICO MADRID WIN
Atletico have only lost one of their last 26 LaLiga matches against Getafe (W21 D4 L1), but have conceded at least one goal against them in five of their last nine encounters (10 goals), after keeping a clean sheet in each of the previous 17 meetings.
But after 11 consecutive home wins against Getafe in LaLiga between 2010 and 2022, keeping a clean sheet in 10 of those matches, Atletico have dropped points in two of their last three home clashes against the Azulones in the competition (W1 D2).
Atletico have not lost any of their last 11 home derbies in LaLiga (W7 D4), winning the last five. They have never won six in a row at home against these teams in the Spanish top-flight.
But Atleti are in fine form, winning each of their last three LaLiga games, their second-best winning run in the competition this season (a run of six in November).
Getafe, meanwhile, have taken points in their last four away games in LaLiga (W2 D2), after losing in six of their previous seven (W1).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Atletico Madrid – 58.6%
Draw – 24.7%
Getafe – 16.6%