Atletico Madrid's winning run is down to a successful adaptation by their summer signings, said coach Diego Simeone on Saturday after his side beat Real Valladolid 4-0 and clinched their seventh-straight win across all competitions.
Atletico had a dry spell earlier in the season when they won just one out of six games despite spending more than 200 million euros ($211.50 million) reinforcing the squad with signings such as Julian Alvarez, Conor Gallagher and Robin Le Normand after a trophyless campaign. A month since their last defeat, a 1-0 league loss at Real Betis, Simeone believes his team to be on the right track and having a solid game plan.
"All teams need time. A month and a half ago, two months ago, we talked about the new guys needing to adapt to the team and how Atletico Madrid play because they all played differently in their (former) teams," Simeone told a press conference. "The growth of (Clement) Lenglet, Gallagher, Julian, (Alexander) Sorloth and the hope of recovering Le Normand soon is giving us a good collective work.
"We lost a very bad game against Betis, where we were not recognisable. And I think that was the breakthrough of what has come from then on. We can win, lose or draw, but we have to be recognisable."
Simeone praised both his team's defence and attack while he hopes they can carry the momentum into the Copa del Rey where they face Cacereno in the second round on Thursday.
"Defensively we are doing well, which gives us a plus, and offensively we also have a position that gives us attacking options, speed, inside play, aerial play, counter-attacking, and we have to keep going," he said. "The league is very long and we are looking forward to the Cup match, which will be tough like all single match ties, and we need to maintain the humility and commitment that the boys are showing."
Late Krejci volley earns Girona 2-2 draw at Villarreal
Villarreal were held to a 2-2 home draw by Girona in LaLiga on Sunday after Ladislav Krejci scored an equaliser six minutes into second-half added time with an outstanding volley from range for the visitors.
Although Girona enjoyed more possession in the first half, Villarreal had more shots on goal and the opener came in the 23rd minute when a powerful header from Yeremy Pino hit the post and Thierno Barry pounced on the rebound to score. Alex Baena struck in the first minute of the second half but Girona halved the deficit in the 66th minute from a corner when Donny van de Beek's half-volley from the edge of the box took a deflection to beat Diego Conde in Villarreal's goal.
Girona's Cristhian Stuani had a goal ruled out by VAR for offside, but they salvaged a point when an unmarked Krejci volleyed home from outside the box. Villarreal remained fourth with 26 points and Girona are seventh with 22.
Martinez lauds team unity
Las Palmas manager Diego Martinez said he was happy with the unified effort his team put in to secure a 2-1 upset victory at LaLiga leaders Barcelona on Saturday.
Martinez took over last month with Las Palmas at the bottom of the table, winless after nine matches.
They have won four of their six league matches since, including another major victory over Girona, rising to 14th in the standings. "We're making progress little by little. We came from a tough match against Mallorca, and arriving here, you know that any mistake can cost you," Martinez said. "When we stay united, we're much better."
Las Palmas, who went down 3-2 to 10-man Mallorca last weekend after conceding an injury-time goal, also lost at Atletico Madrid earlier this month.
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