"The team continues to improve and grow, which makes it competitive"
Diego Pablo Simeone said his team is ready for a difficult match such as the one they expect in Elche.
On the topic of Elche, their rival this week, the coach noted that, "they have two very good forwards, they are the focal point. The two players who play up top are very interesting. And that is why the team plays with a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-2. Anyway, I imagine that the focal points will be the strikers because of the talent those players have. I think it will be a tough and difficult match and we need to play very intensely to take the game where we want it to go".
I expect nothing less from an away game
Fran Escribá, Elche's coach, indicated that his players will come out with at least the same intensity as Atlético. "I expect nothing less from an away game. We know the difficulties that occur for an away team and the excitement and the need of the rivals, which are the same as ours. Beyond the intensity, we need to understand and interpret the match and find where we think we are able to hurt them the most".
He declined to take stock of what has happened so far this season because, "it is always done at the end," although he noted that, "regarding the path we are on, I think that the team is improving and growing, which makes us competitive in all the competitions. That doesn't stop us from living for tomorrow's match and everyone will value us for tomorrow's match".
As to whether he perceives the team four points behind Real Madrid or three points ahead of Sevilla, he has it crystal clear. "It is clear for me. We are three points ahead of Sevilla, which is a lot, and five points ahead of Valencia, which I think is a good number, but there is plenty of time left and it's early. Right now, I'm looking at Sevilla and Valencia, as I said", he indicated.
