The Rojiblancos have moved closer to securing their first league title since the 2013/2014 season with a win against Imanol Alguacil’s men, and Simeone admitted they knew the Basque-based team are difficult to beat.
Atletico Madrid started the game brightly and took the lead in the opening 16 minutes through Yannick Carrasco after he was teed up by Marcos Llorente.
Angel Correa doubled the hosts’ advantage on the 28th minute mark but Simeone’s men passed up a host of chances to put the game to bed as the visitors grew into the match.
Igor Zubeldia halved the deficit for Real Sociedad to set up a nail-biting and nerve-shredding end to the game, but Atletico dug deep to secure a crucial win in the race for the Spanish league crown.
"We knew we had to win against an opponent who are very good away from home," Simeone said in his post-match press conference.
"We had a great first half and even the second half as well, but in this finely balanced end of the season, and their goal, made us suffer unfairly in the last minutes."
Atletico Madrid’s penultimate match of the season will be against Osasuna at home on Sunday before a potential title decider at Real Valladolid a week later.
