Madrid derby vital for Atletico —Gabi

Atletico Madrid midfielder Gabi has acknowledged the significance of beating crosstown rivals Real following the international break.

The Rojiblancos have lost two of their past three games and sit in fourth place on the La Liga standings, six points behind first placed Real Madrid.

“It’s a difficult moment for us, the team is used to winning, but we are not playing well and now we have gone two games on the trot losing away from home,” Gabi said as reported by AS.

“Defeats are always negative and more so when they mean you drop places in the table.”

Gabi emphasised the importance of his team returning to their renowned defensive strengths under Diego Simeone in order to stop their rivals at the Vicente Calderón.

“It’s going to be a vital game for us,” he added.

“It’s crucial because we cannot let Real Madrid get too far ahead of us in the table, we want to be neck and neck with them, but we have to improve if we are to win.

“Koke is playing through the middle and while he is doing well there, we are looking a bit fragile when we have to defend,” he added.

“We have to go back to being a team which is solid at the back and we all have to do our job to make the team secure.

“We want to be the best team and for that to happen we have to improve.”