Alvaro Morata has been linked with a move across the Spanish capital to Real Madrid's rivals Atletico, but Diego Simeone insists that the basis for the rumours were definitely not in anything that the duo talked about last week in his side's 3-0 Champions League defeat at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
This weekend, Los Colchoneros are up against Eibar, with the race for third place still very much a real competition.
Following their disappointment in Europe, they will need to rally again before playing Los Blancos again next Wednesday.
"I didn't say that, we shared a joke," Simeone explained at a pre-match press conference on Friday, when asked of there being any truth in his conversation with Morata.
"We are having a fantastic year, it is the most difficult season we have had since I have been at the club.
"To be competing like we are doing, with the difficulties that we have had, for me it is huge.
"We have to close it out, there are still games left and when the campaign finishes we will have to see if the results look very good, or just good."
Simeone was plainly clear that mentally his team are prepared to face any eventuality.
"We have been working very well in the league in 2017, we hope to continue along this same line," he continued.
"Our opponent has grown enormously, I always say that they keep working very well as a team, they are strong and they know how they play.
"They have completed a very consistent season and have taken important steps as a team with their performances.
"At this moment, this is the most important game for us, as we are missing a few.
"We are working for the most important aim for the club: to finish third. This is what I give most importance to today.
"The team has always had important responses to tough blows. I imagine on Saturday it will be the same.
"I also hope for a Calderon that is with the team than ever, because this season has been extraordinary: semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, nine points behind Sevilla before coming back, semi-finals of the Champions League with the possibility of a comeback, third in the league ... if I were a fan, I'd go with more energy."
The Argentine coach is realistic about his team's abilities and limits, heading into a huge end to the season both domestically and in Europe.
"We are not Real Madrid, nor Barcelona, nor Bayern Munich, who are the best in the world," he explained.
"Continuously growing as we have done for the last eight years, the best time in the history of the club.
"Our six years have been extraordinary, but it isn't long until we are close to these monsters.
"The only way to achieve it is to keep working in this way."