Atletico fans fill us with responsibility, says Simeone

Diego Simeone hailed Atletico Madrid’s improved performance after they ended a five-game winless streak by beating Granada 1-0 and paid tribute to the club’s supporters for instilling his players with “responsibility”.

Atletico moved up to fourth place in LaLiga after Angel Correa’s sixth-minute goal settled an entertaining contest at Wanda Metropolitano, where Simeone’s men put a torrid run of results behind them.

The victory was the Rojiblanco’s first in six games in all competitions and came courtesy of an energetic first-half performance that impressed Simeone.

“In recent league games we could not respond accordingly to what we needed to do,” Simeone told Movistar.

“There was a lot of weight on this match, but the players solved it and I am very happy about it.

“The supporters’ impact is extraordinary; they fill you with responsibility, with the need to get involved.

“We are working and we are improving little by little.”

 provided the assist
 scored the goal

#AúpaAtleti | #AtletiGranada pic.twitter.com/vGcxexX4k0

— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) February 8, 2020

Simeone saw Koke deliver a fine display in behind his front two, the attacking midfielder making his first appearance since he sustained a hamstring injury in December.

Koke provided the assist for Correa’s goal and linked up well with Saul Niguez throughout a game in which a recently goal-shy Atletico team attacked persistently before coming under some late pressure. 

“Yes, I am happy for him and the team,” Simeone said of Koke.

“We were very agile in the first 25 minutes, we started very well, with pressure and presence in the opponents’ half, but then we backed off and they began to grow.

“They [Granada] are very good, they showed it, it comes from progressing to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey and they gave us a fight until the end.

“When you need to win, the minutes run slower.”