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Preview: Atlético v Malmö

Mutual respect abounded ahead of Club Atlético de Madrid's home game with Malmö FF, Diego Simeone warning the visitors' ability to adapt makes them dangerous.

Diego Simeone is urging Atlético to keep focused
Diego Simeone is urging Atlético to keep focused ©AFP/Getty Images

Diego Simeone warns that Malmö's flexibility makes them dangerous
Åge Hareide full of praise for Atleti, Simeone and their work ethic
Gabi and Tiago have been ruled out for the home team
Miguel Ángel Moyà preferred to Jan Oblak in the Atlético goal
Hareide contending with several injury doubts

Possible lineups
Atlético: Moyà; Juanfran, Miranda, Godín, Siqueira; Saúl Ñíguez, Suárez, Koke; Arda, Griezmann, Mandžukić.
Out: Tiago (bruised thigh), Gabi (hamstring), Ansaldi (hamstring)

Malmö: Olsen; Tinnerholm, Johansson, Helander, Konate; Eriksson, Halsti, Adu, Forsberg; Rosenberg, Thelin.

Doubtful: Blomqvist (foot), Erik Johansson (thigh), Halsti (groin), Helander (foot)

Diego Simeone, Atlético coach
We have to play a smart match, be alert and put the ball in the best areas for us. We must think only of victory and making the best of our assets. We always try to work with all of our players at making the team structure stronger.

Malmö can play differently every game and not many teams can do that. They have many young players and they are a dangerous team. They will be looking to qualify come the end of the group stage. People who have not seen Malmö would say they are easy opponents but for me they are as competitive as the other teams in this group, including us.

There was no let-up in Greece. We didn't play well in some phases of that match, but we are not doing badly away from home. Teams are always stronger at home and we are no exception.

Åge Hareide, Malmö coach
The most difficult challenge for any coach is to make everybody work together and make every player develop their game. Atlético always get the maximum in defence and attack. Their game reminds me of South American football. It's great to see how Simeone thinks and handles his team.

Juventus and Atlético are similar in their strengths, though Atlético work collectively and Juventus are more individual. I like to see the Atlético strikers working in both attack and defence and running the whole 90 minutes. We will try to do our best over the 90 minutes to disturb them a little.

My team need more games under their belts in Europe. The players are learning fast. Away matches are difficult for any side but we feel we can beat any team at home. Atlético will lose some day. Even without Gabi and Tiago, Atlético will be strong. They are a well-oiled machine.

Weekend results
Atlético 2-0 RCD Espanyol (Tiago 43, Mario Suárez 71)
Malmö 1-2 IF Elfsborg (Rosenberg 1; J Larsson 66pen 80)

Form guide (all competitions)
Atlético: WWDDDW
Malmö: LDLWWW

Match facts
• When did Malmö last post an away win in the European Cup proper? Find out in our extensive match background.

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