Simeone praises goal-shy duo Costa & Morata

Diego Simeone praised the enthusiasm of Atletico Madrid strikers Diego Costa and Alvaro Morata despite their struggles in front of goal this season.

Atleti have just one win from their past five LaLiga games but are only three points behind leaders and city rivals Real Madrid.

Simeone’s men have drawn a blank in each of the four encounters they have failed to win in this stretch.

Costa and Morata have each scored only once in the league so far this campaign, but Simeone sees little reason to be concerned about the duo.

“I think they are great, they’re doing good, even if they haven’t proved it with goals yet – and I know that’s their bread and butter,” Simeone told a media conference. 

“I think their involvement, predisposition and their will to improve is awesome. I hope they keep it that way, it’s their challenge

“They both scored one goal in La Liga, Morata played less than Diego but I see both are enthusiastic. I can see they want to improve.

“We have to keep calm and know they are two important players for this club and the team. We hope that they will start scoring soon since it’s part of their lives, [but] I sincerely think they’re doing good.”

[] PRESS CONFERENCE
 @Simeone: “@valenciacf_en are a historic and competitive side.”
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— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) October 18, 2019

Atletico welcome Valencia to the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday, with Simeone hoping his players hit their stride quickly upon returning from the international break.

“When they come back from the national team, it is not easy,” Simeone added. “They’re playing more and more games with the national team and that’s difficult for the teams and obviously for the players as well.

“They play almost every day. We hope they adapt again really fast to the club and competition.

“Tomorrow’s game is against a competitive and historic team like Valencia, they are really powerful at recovering and counter-attacking.

“A few things are changing with [Albert] Celades from what it was with Marcelino, but obviously the team already had a structure and I imagine the coach is combining it to do the best for the team.

“They are dangerous, dynamic and have a dangerous counter-attack, and we think that’s the way our rival will play tomorrow.”