Simeone: Atletico need killer instinct
The Colchoneros could do no better than a 1-1 draw with Elche, wasting a number of chances through Lucas Vietto and Fernando Torres.
This further calls into question the depth of the Madrid side, which was banned from making transfers this summer, though Diego Costa is already a shoo-in for January.
While Atletico are doing reasonably in La Liga (they are fourth), they look weaker than last season.
“I liked our first half,” Simeone told Marca.
“Augusto Fernandez had rhythm, Vietto and Torres had three openings each, Thomas was having a good game, [Miguel Angel] Moya had the right mentality to transmit calmness to the defence.
“I cannot question the player’s desire as may sometimes be the case with teams playing in these sorts of games, the only piece missing was our success in front of goal and our killer instinct.
Simeone didn’t appear too worried. His men were up to their old tricks at the weekend in Liga action, earning a win against Celta Vigo on the road with a solitary goal from Kevin Gameiro.
“We have to keep working and creating chances, unfortunately Vietto did not look sharp but his performances were strong – you have to be patient and confidence will reappear naturally.”