Diego Simeone has praised Atletico Madrid’s consistency and balance after beating Real Sociedad 1-0 and winning their fifth league game in a row.
Filipe Luis netted his second goal in four days as Los Rojiblancos saw off European challengers La Real at the Vicente Calderon to continue their recent run of excellent form ahead of the Madrid derby.
"Since 2017 began, we have been playing much better, a much more balanced team, more consistent in our play," Simeone said.
"The team has been working better. That allows us to compete as we have been doing. What our kids are doing is still extraordinary, we were nine points below Sevilla, and the team kept working, just looking forward. Now we will see about what is left.
"We needed the fans, I believe they did not know how important this game was. The players were tired, and this was a game we had to win. That is not easy, to win every game.
"I feel like another fan, and felt the team needed their support. And from there they controlled the game, with the support of the fans. When the fans are there, the Calderon is marvellous."
