Diego Simeone said that he and Atletico Madrid can do nothing more than take things game-by-game in their pursuit of the LaLiga title this season. 

Simeone's team sit third in the table with five games of their season, 10 points adrift of leaders Barcelona and six behind second-placed rivals Real Madrid. 

Atletico's inconsistency has seen them drop further behind their title rivals, with a trip to the Estadio de Mendizorroza to face 17th-placed Alaves up next. 

The Colchoneros have also won just two of their last seven LaLiga away games (D2 L3), last losing two in the league away from him back in January 2024 (L4). 

"We have to finish game-by-game in the best way," Simeone told reporters.

"Barcelona and Real Madrid are in an important position to compete with each other and have a direct duel. We'll do our thing. 

"We have to think about improving. Alaves have been doing very well in the last few days, with a good rhythm of play, a coach with clear ideas, as in all his teams."

The supercomputer believes the gap is too big for Atletico to make up in their remaining games, favouring Barcelona in 87% of their data-led simulations to lift the title. 

While Atletico have lost once at home this season, they have struggled away from the Spanish, with this weekend's venue having been a difficult one to visit in recent years. 

After going unbeaten in six consecutive away matches in LaLiga between 2006 and 2021 (W4 D2), Atletico have lost their last two games on Alaves' home turf. 

Simeone has ost his last two visits to Mendizorrotza in LaLiga, his joint-longest ongoing losing streak at an away stadium in the competition. 

Alaves and Eduardo Coudet, meanwhile, have not lost in their last two LaLiga games (W1 D1), but have not put together back-to-back league wins since September 2024.

A physical team under Coudet, who took over from Luis Garcia in December, Alaves are two points clear of Las Palmas in 18th - the final relegation spot.

"They are a brave Alaves side who have needs," Simeone added. "We have them too and we want to take the game to where we think we can do some damage."

With the transfer window set to open soon, Villarreal's Alex Baena has been linked with a move to Atletico but Simeone laughed when asked for his verdict on the player.

"You're taking me for a fool," Simeone started. 

"If I answer that he plays spectacularly, that I love him, that he's important for the national team, you'll say: "El Cholo (Simeone) wants him. 

"If I say he plays badly, you'll say: "El Cholo doesn't like him." He's a great footballer, obviously!"