Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke insists Barcelona and Real Madrid are still favourites to land the La Liga title this season.
Los Rojiblancos are level on points with Barca at the top, five points in front of Real Madrid and having matched Tata Martino’s men by winning all eight games so far this term.
Even so, in an exclusive interview with Canal Movistar, the 21-year-old maintained the big two are still in the driving seat when it comes to who finishes first.
“We don’t just think about winning La Liga. We are also thinking of the Champions League and in taking things game-by-game, but the boss has prepared us very well mentally.
“We have to be realistic. Real Madrid and Barcelona are favourites to win the League, but Cholo [Simeone] has very clear ideas.
“When he arrived we were a group that was sad and depressed, one that was in a slump that the fans whistled at. But he told us we were a great squad and we only had to think about winning.
“He came with the philosophy of taking things a game at a time and from then we have believed in him and the things he does.”
Speaking about his future, Koke said that “at the moment I have a contract with Atletico. I’ve just renewed and am in the team, which is like a family.
“I want to stay here for many years and fulfil my contract. I’m very happy here.”
