Simeone masterminded his first league win against Barcelona since taking charge of the Rojiblancos.
In a cagey affair at the empty Wanda Metropolitano, Atletico Madrid found a way through on the cusp of halftime, courtesy of Belgium international Yannick Carrasco, who pounded on a mistake made by goalkeeper Andre Ter Stegen, to secure the vital three points for Simeone’s men.
Simeone acknowledged his side’s effort in executing his game plan and quickly turned his focus on Atletico’s Champions League game against Lokomotiv Moscow.
The Argentine said after the game : "The work that the group is doing is competing very well. Each proposal is executed by the team as a group and that allows for more options to win."
"In Pamplona we also played with Vitolo in today's position of Carrasco. Saúl also played against Cádiz. We have been doing it in other games. Today it was Carrasco's turn. We understood that this way we had the possibility to defend and attack as we wanted."
"The two teams defensively proposed the same, defending down. When we had the ball we proposed a good game. We had very clear chances. Carrasco's goal allows us to have a second half with greater calm in the game."
"The players are always the key. They generate the illusion. If they feel complicit, it grows. We continue to grow since the quarantine. We have marked a very good path."
"There are many who are playing very well, not only Koke. The group is strong and there is a lot of internal competition. Lodi and Felipe did not play today, for example. When it is their turn, they will do well."
"It is true that we had not beaten Barça in recent years. There is always an opportunity and today we take advantage of it. We handled the game very well."
"I always think the same. Football depends on what we are going to do in the next game. Now the focus should go to the Champions League. Then we will think again about the League, that we have a tough exit to Valencia."
