Espanyol boss Javier Aguirre believes that Atletico Madrid, who beat his side 1-0 on Saturday, are 'the best team in Europe.'

Diego Costa scored the only goal of the match at the Vicente Calderon as Atletico kept pace with Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table.

"Their hard work, humility, and respect makes them the best, as a team, in Spain and the whole of Europe. You have to be humble enough to accept that they have people who are doing really well," Aguirre told reporters at a press conference.

"Without a doubt they're one of the best teams in Europe, they're fighting with Real Madrid and Barcelona for the title."

Atletico recently booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.