Diego Simeone insisted his Atletico Madrid side are "in good spirits" ahead of their match against Athletic Club, despite their poor run of form.

Atleti have lost their last four games in all competitions, including defeat in the Copa del Rey final on penalties to Real Sociedad last weekend.

They lost 3-2 against relegation battlers Elche in their most recent match, while Atleti's league clash against Athletic precedes their Champions League semi-final first leg against Arsenal.

Simeone has reason to be confident against Athletic; he has won 21 of his 34 meetings with Athletic in all competitions (D4 L9). Only against Getafe (24) has he secured more victories as Atleti manager (also 21 against Real Betis).

This will also be the 22nd LaLiga meeting between Simeone and Ernesto Valverde (11 wins for Simeone, five draws, and five wins for Valverde), equalling the record for the most matches between two managers in the history of the competition, held by Luis Aragones and Javier Irureta.

Simeone believes it is important that Atletico approach the match in the right way, especially after their Copa del Rey defeat.