<text>  Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone believes his side are having a great season despite them playing catch-up in La Ligas title race. The defending champions sit seven points behind leaders Barcelona and are also 1-0 to Bayer Leverkusen after the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie. But despite recent setbacks Simeone is refusing to write-off his sides chances of recreating their success of last season. Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone believes his side are having a great season despite sitting fourth . Antoine Griezmann left and Fernando Torres train ahead of Saturdays game against Espanyol . There are still a lot of games left, he told reporters on Friday. Well have to wait to see how the league finishes and then well review what happened. You all like to compare this team to last years, something I dont consider at all. I think weve got six points fewer than a year ago. I think were having a great season. Midfielder Koke celebrates after scoring in Atleticos 1-1 draw at home to Valencia last weekend . Koke is mobbed by his team-mates including former Liverpool and Chelsea striker Torres right Atletico take on Espanyol on Saturday and Simeone is looking for three points to jump back above Valencia, who beat Deportivo on Friday evening. Were hoping to get back to winning ways, which is important, Simeone added. Hopefully, against Espanyol we can get back that consistency we had in the first half against Valencia, which is our way of playing and what makes us a difficult team to play against. 