Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone hailed his team's perfomance as their best of the new La Liga season after Saturday's 4-0 steamrolling of previously undefeated Sevilla at the Estadio Vicente Calderon.
Atletico met a physical challenge from their opponents early on, and took two of the first period's few chances to go in at the break 2-0 up due off a deflected Koke long-ranger and a header from Saul. Sevilla had more of the ball in the second half, but were killed off late on by further goals from substitutes Raul Garcia [penalty] and Raul Jimenez.
The Colchoneros coach told his post-game news conference that he had been particularly impressed by how his team had managed the different moments in the game as required.
"Along with the game at home to Madrid in the Spanish Supercopa, this was the game in which we have been most consistent, and managed the game best," Simeone said. "In the first half we were able to go for the game. When we scored the goals we were able to sit back and control things. So we were always in charge of the game."
After a subdued atmosphere at the Calderon during last weekend's 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo, the home fans got right behind their team from the off tonight. Simeone, who was back on the bench after his recent touchline ban, said had really helped the players on the pitch.
"The atmosphere today was what we need in every game at Calderon," he said. "It makes things different. It felt like we were all together, the players and the fans, like one block on the pitch."
The home fans also got to cheer a first goal for the club for 10 million euro summer signing Jimenez, who had been whistled by many inside the stadium as he drew another blank in that Celta game. Simeone said that the Mexico international, as well as other new arrivals Antoine Griezmann and Alessio Cerci, would have big roles to play for Atletico this season.
"I told [Jimenez] before he went on I was sure he was going to score a goal," he said. "He is an intelligent kid, who can give us a lot. He holds the ball up well, as he did in the third goal, when involved with Griezmann. We need all our players, the more who are here to compete, the better for us. Players who bring us something different, like Jimenez, Griezmann and Cerci, will be good for us."
Griezmann had however been left on the bench, with Simeone preferring to stiffen his midfield by playing youngster Saul, 19, behind centre-forward Mario Mandzukic.
"It gives us a lot of stability to have a team with many midfielders," the former Argentina midfielder said. "That gives us strength, in play, in intensity, in getting the ball back. [Saul] is a kid with an enormous future, he still has a lot of improvement to come.
- Corrigan: Three points -- Atletico Madrid vs. Sevilla
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"How much he plays this season depends on what the team needs. He has personality, intensity, gets around the pitch, and quality. He is like Koke, Gabi, classic player whose characteristics are good for us. With humility, work, and patience, he will be important for us."
The hammering of the previously undefeated Sevilla means Atletico remain unbeaten six games into the new Primera Division season, two points behind current leaders Barcelona, and two ahead of Spain's other giant club Real Madrid.
Simeone however repeated again his claim that it remained unlikely that his side could once more come out on top of their two big spending rivals over a full 38 game campaign.
"The difference in budgets come through more over the full season, not in just one game," he said. "In one game of course we have a chance. But in a season of so many games, it is much more difficult."