Diego Simeone: There is always room for improvement

Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has urged his players to maintain maximum focus, warning against complacency ahead of their clash with struggling Espanyol. Los Rojiblancos head into the fixture looking to secure a sixth consecutive victory across all competitions.

The Madrid outfit have built impressive momentum following a fine 2-0 Champions League win over Manchester United in midweek, backed by four straight victories on the domestic front. That run has lifted them to second place in La Liga, just five points behind leaders Barcelona. In Saturday's early kick-off, Atletico face an Espanyol side that has managed just one win in their last seven outings.

Despite their stellar form, the Argentine tactician remains grounded, stressing that his side is far from the finished article. He believes there is room for growth across every department, acknowledging that good results can sometimes involve a slice of luck and insisting adjustments are required both defensively and offensively.

"There is always room for improvement in every aspect," Simeone said. "Just because you have won five games doesn't mean you're doing everything perfectly. There is always an element of luck. We still have things to improve both in defence and in attack."

Simeone will have to cope without two key midfielders for the clash, with Johnny Cardoso and club captain Koke missing Friday's training session. Cardoso is sidelined through illness, while Koke—who missed the midweek game against Manchester United following the passing of his mother—worked individually in the gym due to minor leg discomfort.

"Tomorrow we will be without Cardoso and Koke, but our squad depth gives us peace of mind. The importance of a deep bench will become most evident at the end of the campaign," the Atletico boss commented. Simeone added that the team remains a work in progress and must manage workloads carefully. He also expressed heartfelt support for Koke following his bereavement, explaining that the emotional strain coupled with physical discomfort ruled him out of contention.