Simeone Warns Atletico Madrid 'Still Building' as Six-Game Streak Beckons at Espanyol
Simeone Refuses to Get Carried Away by Atletico's Winning Run
Diego Simeone has moved to temper expectations around Atletico Madrid, insisting that a five-game winning run does not mean his team is "doing everything perfectly" as they prepare to face Espanyol in LaLiga.
Atleti have won four consecutive league matches and extended their streak in midweek with a 2-0 Champions League victory over a 10-man Manchester United. That run also includes wins over rivals Real Madrid and Real Sociedad, leaving Atletico second in the table after eight games.
Only league leaders Barcelona (34) and Real Madrid (19) have outscored Atleti (18) in LaLiga this season. Yet three of the eight goals they have conceded have come from the penalty spot — only the second time in the 21st century that Atleti have given away three penalties in the first eight league games of a season, after the 2008-09 campaign.
'There Are Always Mistakes'
Despite the momentum, Simeone was keen to strike a cautious note ahead of the Espanyol meeting.
"Winning five games doesn't mean you're doing everything perfectly," he said. "There are always mistakes at every stage. I understand that being able to take the lead in games is working in our favour.
"Overall, I think we have things to improve both offensively and defensively. We're still building. We try to manage our playing time as best we can, aiming to win the game."
The Argentine's measured tone echoes comments attributed to him on 11 September, when he described his team as being in a "construction phase" after a 2-1 Champions League defeat at Liverpool, warning: "We are conceding many goals. Three against Bilbao, one against Sevilla, two against Liverpool."
Espanyol's Struggles Offer an Opportunity
Espanyol sit 12th in LaLiga after a 1-1 draw with Malaga last time out and are winless in their last three league matches (D1 L2). They have won just twice in LaLiga this term, with their only home victory coming on the opening day against Levante.
History is also against the hosts. Espanyol have won just one of their last 10 LaLiga meetings with Atleti (D5 L4) — a 2-1 victory in August 2025 during Atleti's most recent visit to the RCDE Stadium. They have not won two consecutive home games against Atletico in the competition since May 2019.
However, Atleti have not won any of their last three away LaLiga games against Espanyol (D2 L1) since a 2-1 win in September 2021, and have not gone four consecutive away games without defeat against them in the competition since May 2007 (D1 L3). Simeone has drawn four of his 12 visits to the RCDE Stadium in LaLiga (W4 D4 L4).
Players to Watch
Espanyol — Javi Hernandez
The Espanyol midfielder has provided five assists in eight LaLiga games. It is the most by a player after their first eight appearances in the competition since Goncalo Guedes for Valencia in October 2017 (also five).
Atletico Madrid — Jonathan David
Jonathan David has been involved in at least one goal in his four LaLiga appearances so far (three goals and two assists). He could become only the third player to score or assist in his first five appearances in the competition since 2000, after Rafael van der Vaart for Real Madrid in 2008 (four goals and four assists) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic for Barcelona in 2009 (five goals and two assists).
Scoring Records Point to an Open Contest
Espanyol have scored in each of their eight league games this term (11 goals), their best scoring start to a season in the competition since 1992-93, when they netted in their first 10 matches of the campaign (17 goals).
Match Prediction: Atletico Madrid Win
Opta's model makes Atletico the clear favourites for the trip to the RCDE Stadium, handing them a 53.9% win probability. A draw is rated at 24.1%, while an Espanyol victory sits at 22%.