Koke Fears For Atletico’s Champions League Hopes After Bilbao Stalemate
Koke believes Atletico Madrid’s place in next season’s UEFA Champions League is under threat following another stalemate against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
The Rojiblancos drew 1-1 at the San Mames, with Diego Costa’s equalizer cancelling out Iker Muniain’s opener for the hosts.
Atletico Madrid have now drawn 13 La Liga games this season, which is a club record.
The result has left Diego Simeone’s men in sixth place but they are still just one point behind Real Sociedad, who currently occupy the final Champions League spot.
Nonetheless, Koke believes Atletico cannot afford to drop too many points at this stage of the campaign as there just ten games of the season remaining.
"I believe it was a very strength-based game. It was a tough situation to be in," Koke told LaLiga TV.
"We didn't take our chances. We have to suffer and accept the draw. We want to be in the Champions League and we need to get hold of the points.
"It's difficult from this position that we're in.
"They were better placed than us all over the pitch. We managed to change things after the first goal and a couple of minutes after found the equaliser.
"Santi had the chance at the end to get us the win."
Should Atletico Madrid fail to qualify for UEFA’s flagship club competition next season via the league standings, they can still play in the Champions League if they win this season’s tournament. They are into the quarterfinals after defeating holders Liverpool in the round of 16.
