'Real Madrid have taken all of the good kids from La Liga'

While the Atletico boss praised 'Los Blancos' for recent achievements, he also lamented the fact that they always manage to snap up the best young talents in La Liga.

"We are going up against the team that is the best in the world, just as Barcelona were in their day," he said.

"They've won two Champions Leagues in a row and won La Liga last year. Right now, they're better and they have taken all of the good kids from all of the different Spanish teams.

"They keep making sure the others can't get to these kids. They have them stockpiled, but they have them."

Simeone was also asked about how much his team has missed Yannick Ferreira Carrasco and Koke, to which he responded:

'Both are very important players for us. Koke helps us going forward from defence to attack and Carrasco gives us alternatives in attack. So the team has been without two important players.'

Finally, Simeone brushed aside rumours linking him with a move to the Premier League with Everton.

'My future is tied to Atlético Madrid and they are going to have to put up with me for the next couple of years at least. I'm absolutely sure about that,' he concluded.