Atletico de Madrid vs Espanyol - Flores hails Diego Simeone impact at Atletico Madrid

Posted Saturday, December 03, 2016 by PA

Espanyol coach Quique Sanchez Flores returns to his old club Atletico Madrid on Saturday and hailed the team's transformation under current coach Diego Simeone.

By their lofty standards Atleti are struggling a little. They trail league leaders Real Madrid by nine points, having lost 3-0 to their city rivals in their last home game in LaLiga on November 19.

But Sanchez Flores, who coached Atletico between 2009 and 2011, has been hugely impressed by the work done under Simeone. The Argentinian took over from Gregorio Manzano at the end of 2011 and has since won the league title in 2014, a Europa League crown in 2012 and twice reached the final of the Champions League.

"They have improved absolutely everything," Sanchez Flores told reporters at a press conference.

"He has achieved very important things and he deserves them."

Speaking about returning to the Estadio Vicente Calderon for the first time since his departure five years ago, Sanchez Flores added: "I must give up living a moment that was special. It is my first game at the Calderon after I finished my contract. It's been five years. We had two very magical seasons."

Espanyol currently sit in 12th position in the league and will have to be at their best to cause an upset, and Sanchez Flores said that he is under no illusions as to the challenge his side face.

He said: "We know it is a very complicated game and Atletico are a very competitive team. (Simeone) makes everything very difficult (for an opponent) and demands a lot from his players.

"But the more demanding we are, the more we can challenge them. Given the difficulty of the match, we have to improve ourselves and be at our best."

Atletico, who sit fourth in LaLiga, have lost two of their last three league matches but were buoyed by a 6-0 thrashing of Guijuelo in the Copa del Rey.

Filipe Luis has returned to the squad to face Espanyol but Fernando Torres is not yet ready to take part despite training this week and long-term absentee Augusto Fernandez remains sidelined.

Atletico currently sit three points behind Barcelona and Sevilla, while just three points separate themselves and seventh-placed Eibar.

Simeone said: "The league is still very competitive and interesting.

"We are improving and finding our rhythm, the cup result was very important to see growth.

"It is not easy to win away from home and there are problems in any game, which there have not always been in previous years."

Simeone also praised the club's use of young players ahead of the tie, stating how important it was to him that the club bring through these players.

"One of the goals when I arrived here was to bring through young players, Koke started with the group, then we had Saul and Thomas Partey. Now other young players will come through and improve."

The 46-year-old also discussed the future of Belgian Yannick Carrasco after much debate over the 23-year-old's best position.

He said: "It's an option (to play him up front). Possibly against a team where we can exploit his speed and strength. He is improving in front of goal which is good for the team and for him because he can grow as a player."