Elche vs Atletico de Madrid preview - Simeone plays down complacency

Posted Friday, November 29, 2013 by PA

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has insisted he is not preparing for Saturday's match with Elche with even a hint of complacency.

The Alicante club are enjoying their first season back in the top flight for 25 years and after a slow start have lifted themselves up to 10th in the Primera Division table, beating Valencia 2-1 at home in their last match.

Atletico hammered Getafe 7-0 in their last match to stay second in the table but Simeone believes Fran Escriba's side will give his team a tougher time at the Martinez Valero stadium.

He told a press conference: "The word 'easy' is one I don't understand, because the reality is that in football things are constantly changing. We focus on reality, and the reality is that Elche are always competitive and tactically astute, because they adapt well to different systems of play."

Escriba worked at Atletico for two years as assistant coach to Quique Flores, who was in charge of the club between 2009 and 2011.

"Their coach knows our players and that will make things more difficult for us," added Simeone.

"They play very well as a team and if we don't go out on to the pitch with the energy we need to show at a ground like theirs, it'll be a very tough game for us."

The injured Mario Suarez and Leo Baptistao have not been included in the squad list for the match, nor has Jose Maria Gimenez, but Simeone has every other player available.

Elche have no fresh injury concerns while Ruben Perez, on loan from Atletico, has been given the all clear to play.

The 24-year-old midfielder told reporters: "This is the best Atletico Madrid side I have ever seen, but that doesn't mean they cannot be beaten. We have to play to our strengths, be very strong defensively and make the most of the chances we make if we want to win."