Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone expressed his belief on Saturday that it was inappropriate to play this weekend following the devastating floods that ravaged Spain's eastern region. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez reported earlier on the same day that the catastrophic flash floods, the deadliest in modern Spanish history, had claimed at least 211 lives, with dozens still missing four days after torrential rains hit the Valencia region. This tragedy marks the worst flood-related disaster in Europe since 1967 when at least 500 people perished in Portugal.
Several matches, including the clash between Valencia and Real Madrid, as well as Villarreal versus Rayo Vallecano, were postponed over the weekend due to the floods. "It doesn't make any sense," Simeone told reporters before his team's home game against Las Palmas on Sunday. "The situation is incredibly difficult; it's heart-wrenching to see the people who took to the streets to assist, using shovels and their tools to help. It reflects very positively on the country and its people, and we want to contribute wherever possible."
"There are people going through a very tough time, it's deeply saddening, and they urge us to carry on, so here we are, continuing," he added. Atletico, currently fifth in the LaLiga standings with 20 points from 11 matches, are set to host 18th-placed Las Palmas, and Simeone anticipates a challenging encounter. Last month, Las Palmas appointed former Espanyol coach Diego Martinez as their new manager. "We face a tough game against a team that has significantly improved since the coach's arrival," Simeone noted.
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