Simeone keeps lid on Madrid

Atletico Madrid may well be undefeated in their opening seven Liga games, but coach Diego Simeone is refusing to get carried away.

Simeone’s side heads into Sunday’s game sat in fifth spot in La Liga and five points adrift of leaders Barcelona, with Real Valladolid their opponents at the Vicente Calderon on Sunday.

“The fact that the general public have good feelings about this team (it) is healthy, positive and good,” Simeone told reporters.

“But, what we have done is in the past and what is important is now and the future.

“We are happy when our supporters are happy, but we live the reality, which is today. We hope to be more competitive and improve game by game. That is the way we will move forward.”

Valladolid are just a point behind Simeone’s side in 10th spot and the 42-year-old is well aware of the nature of the task ahead.

“Valladolid play very well, and have demonstrated in the last four games that they have played with great ambition,” he said.

“They are a team that can play with the ball well in midfield and pack it easily with lots of players.”