Atleti players in good spirits despite losing run
Diego Simeone insisted his Atletico Madrid side is in good spirits ahead of its LaLiga match against Athletic Club, despite a poor run of form.
Atleti has lost its past four games in all competitions, including defeat in the Copa del Rey final on penalties to Real Sociedad last weekend.
It lost 3-2 against relegation battler Elche in its most recent match, while Atleti's league clash against Athletic precedes its UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg against Arsenal.
Simeone said it is important that Atletico approaches the match in the right way, especially after the Copa del Rey defeat.
"We try to give every match the importance it deserves," the Atleti boss said.
"We're facing an opponent who won an important game a couple of days ago, which has strengthened their position in the table, and they have players we know are key.
"We'll try to take the game to where we think we can hurt them.
"The team is in good spirits, aware of what's at stake, knowing the opportunity we missed in the cup final, and excited about what's to come, given how hard we've worked to get here and what we can achieve if things go our way."
Athletic is ninth in LaLiga, but just three points off sixth-placed Getafe with six games to go in the competition.
Valverde's side defeated Osasuna 1-0 last time out, but has won just two of its past six games.
