Any Porto will do in Atletico storm

ATLETICO Madrid captain Antonio Lopez has told his team-mates to forget about their poor league form as they prepare to face Porto tonight.

Atletico have lost six of their last 11 games in an alarming slide that has cost coach Javier Aguirre his job.

Replacement Abel Resino won his opening fixture but has since overseen a draw and a defeat as Atletico slipped to seventh in the table.

But none of that will count for anything in the eyes of Lopez.

“The path that we’re following is the right one and the team’s attitude was good,” he said.

“When you concede a goal at the end of the match you get down, but we can’t drop our heads. We have another final (tonight) against Porto. We have to try and forget about the bad things and focus.

“We have to put league play aside and approach (tonight)’s encounter with a different mentality. We have to win in any way possible in front of our supporters.”

While problems have been mounting in the league, Atletico – who have never lost to Portuguese opposition at home – have been strong at the Vicente Calderon, winning two and drawing one of their European matches there this season.

While there is plenty of talent in the Atletico squad, it is thin in places and Resino must find a balance with tough league fixtures coming up against Barcelona, Real Madrid and Villarreal.

Star striker Sergio Aguero was a substitute at the weekend after becoming a father for the first time earlier in the week, but is expected to start tomorrow night.

Luis Garcia and Ever Banega are out injured, as is Colombia defender Luis Perea who was knocked unconscious and suffered a fractured cheekbone in a frightening collision early in the Sevilla match.

While Atletico are slumping, Porto travel to Madrid in buoyant mood after starting the year with five wins and two draws to move four points clear at the top of the Lig table.

Coach Jesualdo Ferreira last week claimed he was not looking ahead to the Atletico match as he planned for the weekend fixtures, but nevertheless rested key players Lucho Gonzalez and Cristian Rodriguez for the 2-0 win over Pacos de Ferreira on Friday night.

Porto have attacking options available with Lisandro Lopez and the Brazilian Hulk also making the trip but a knee strain will keep left-back Nelson Benitez out, making room for Frenchman Aly Cissokho.