Simeone wants more from Atletico despite Academica win

Oct 26, 2012 12:25:00 AM

The Argentine was left slightly disappointed by his team's narrow win over the Portuguese outfit, but nevertheless is already looking ahead to Sunday's Liga clash with Osasuna

Diego Simeone believes Atletico Madrid could have scored more in their victory over Academica in the Europa League, though he did admit the result puts his side in a good position going forward.

The competition holders have now collected nine points from their first three matches in this year's edition of the tournament and look likely to progress to the knockout stages.

But while he felt his side's victory could have been by a greater margin, Simeone was adamant that they could advance in the tournament with less pressure.

"The result sets us up nicely. Now we can work quietly and calmly, but we have to keep on winning," he told reporters after Thursday night's match.

Following a goalless first half, Los Colchoneros went onto score twice after the break, before the visitors struck what proved to be only a consolation.

"In the second half we had more aggression and intensity about our play. The result should have been 3-1," he added.

Atleti's win was their 11th consecutive in European competition, but now their attentions must turn back to La Liga and their clash with Osasuna on Sunday.

"We will prepare well for Sunday as we have a very tough opponent in the form of Osasuna. God permitting, hopefully those who have played today will recover in time," he concluded.

Meanwhile, striker Diego Costa, who started ahead of Radamel Falcao, did his chances of receiving another call-up to the starting XI no harm as he managed to get on the scoresheet, though he does feel that, with the Colombian ahead of him in the pecking order, his chances may remain limited.

“You have to take the minutes you're given at this club because the players above me are pretty good," he was quoted as saying by AS after the game.

“The coach asked us to go and win tonight. We did that and, with half the games gone [in the group], we're in a good position.”

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