Setien: "Griezmann's a great player but Messi is Messi..."

The Betis coach was full of praise for Atlético. “You can't give Atlético the ball, they'll press us high and we'll be forced to defend”. Barragán and León out of the list.

Betis coach Quique Setién aired his thoughts as his team prepare to take on Atlético de Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday, and was full of praise for Diego Pablo Simeone and Company. “The starting XI that Atlético de Madrid will put out tomorrow is anyone's guess. Simeone changed the system the other day and they could quite easily play four or five at the back. As it is, we won't know until the game starts. We're expecting both options, and we'll be trying to make sure they don't affect us too much so that we can focus on playing our game”, Setién told reporters in this afternoon's pre-match press conference.

Setién analyzes El Cholo's extraordinary Atleti

“Our most recent encounters with Atlético have been quite close games. We deservedly took a point from the Wanda last season and the home game at the Villamarín was also very tight. It's pretty much what we are expecting from this game, they are going to demand the very best from us. They've spent several years with the same coach and they have an extraordinary squad. Their three midfielders in the centre of the park are all Spain internationals and that says it all. They always compete with Madrid and Barcelona - it'll be difficult but also I think we are in for a great game of football”, the Betis boss continued. "Atleti never cede possession to their rivals. If they can maintain control of the ball, that's what they'll do. They are at home so they'll be pressing us high. There will be a lot of moments when we will have to sit back and defend".

Griezmann not yet at Messi's level but he's close

Setién was also asked about Atleti's man of the moment, Antoine Griezmann: "He doesn't need many chances to score, and that means he makes a real difference to the side. Griezmann is  fantastic player but I'm not sure he's at Messi's level yet. Messi is Messi... he's in a class of his own, but if Griezmann is not at his level, he's not far off, he's on the next level down".

Joel Robles, Pau López, Francis, Mandi, Bartra, Javi García, Sidnei, Junior, Tello, William Carvalho, Guardado, Lo Celso, Canales, Joaquín, Inui, Boudebouz, Loren and Sanabria.