Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone said there were many positives from Saturday's straightforward 3-0 victory over bottom team Osasuna, but added that he could not explain why his side have now missed their last six penalties in La Liga.
With thoughts on Wednesday's Champions League quarterfinal second leg at Leicester, Simeone rested all of Antoine Griezmann, Koke, Saul and Gabi, but the three points here keeps them set to secure third place, the final automatic qualifying spot for the competition next season.
Yannick Carrasco opened the scoring near the half-hour mark with a trademark driving run against backpedalling defenders and low shot inside the post. The Belgium international made it two just after half-time by meeting a curling Nico Gaitan cross to power in a back post header.
Left-back Filipe Luis' third goal in recent weeks made it 3-0 before Simeone used the low-tempo game to give comebacks for fit-again Nico Gaitan, Tiago Mendes and back from oblivion Alessio Cerci.
"I will stick with the positive things, and the great effort made in what could have been a tricky game," Simeone said in his postmatch news conference. "The return of Gaitan, who came from not being able to help the team, the position of [Jose Maria] Gimenez in the middle of the park, the good game of Thomas, another start for Lucas [Hernandez], minutes for Cerci and Tiago. There were many positive things which will be good for our present and for the future."
But Carrasco and Thomas Partey both missed late penalties with the points secured, meaning five different Altetico takers have failed from the spot as the squad's consecutive penalty failures reached a half-dozen. Griezmann did convert from 12 years in last week's Champions League first leg at home to Leicester.
"I cannot explain it, it is an individual action and very difficult to explain," Simeone said. "It is not bad luck."
Centre-back Gimenez completed the 90 minutes in midfield, and Simeone suggested it was possible the young Uruguayan could play there if he wanted to shore up his team for the return at Leicester.
"That is an option for Tuesday," the Argentine said.
It is unlikely that injured Kevin Gameiro will make it back for the game in England however, Simeone said.
"You would have to ask the doctor," was his short response to a question about the France international who has not played for the club since the last international break.
The loudest roar of a relaxed afternoon at the Estadio Vicente Calderon came when forgotten man Cerci made a late substitute appearance, his first game time for Atletico in La Liga since December 2014.
"[Cerci] earned the playing time he got," Simeone said. "He has shown respect, hard work and he was able to make his first game, being one of the few [squad members] who had not done it. He is a player who could give us something important in the time he gets."