Diego Simeone is keeping his feet firmly on the ground. The Atlético Madrid boss has dismissed any talk of distractions as his side prepares for a crucial LaLiga clash against Valencia this Saturday—insisting that the Champions League can wait.

With a high-stakes semifinal second leg against Arsenal looming on Tuesday, some might expect Simeone to rotate his squad. But the Argentine coach was quick to shut down that notion, revealing that several key players are simply not fit enough to feature against Valencia anyway.

"It's clear that, regardless of Tuesday's match, Julián Alvarez probably wouldn't have been ready for Saturday," Simeone explained. "Nor would Sørloth, Giuliano, Barrios, or Josema Giménez. I don't think I'm forgetting anyone else. We're going to field the players who are in the best shape to compete tomorrow."

The news on Alvarez is particularly concerning for Atlético fans. The forward has been diagnosed with a low-grade ankle sprain sustained during the first leg against Arsenal. While the injury is not severe—he's expected to be available for the return leg in London—it rules him out of the Valencia trip as a precaution.

For Simeone, the focus remains squarely on the league. Atlético are chasing Villarreal in the standings, and every point matters in the final stretch of the season. Valencia, meanwhile, are fighting for their lives at the other end of the table, playing with the kind of desperation that makes them dangerous.

"We're thinking about tomorrow's match," Simeone said. "It's so important to try to catch up to Villarreal. And we're playing a crucial match against a team that needs points—one that will be under pressure from its own fans, playing with the intensity Valencia has shown since their coach arrived. I can't think about any other match than that."

When pressed on whether the injuries are a convenient excuse to rest players for the Champions League, Simeone was blunt. "It's just that the players' condition demands it. They finished the other day with some niggles. We're going with the players who are fresh so we can compete. That's what matters."

For the younger players in the squad, this represents a golden opportunity. "If any of the guys who've been helping us lately get to play, it's another step toward proving why they're close to the first team," Simeone added. "They have the responsibility of being at Atlético Madrid, and the chance to show why they belong here."

As the season reaches its boiling point, Simeone's message is clear: one game at a time. And right now, all eyes are on Valencia.